Cost-effective resource apportionment technlogies suitable for facilitating therapies

ABSTRACT

Configuration technologies for apportioning resources and communicating indications of potential or actual incentives based on one or more measurements or other objective indications that therapeutic components have been administered to an individual, other attributes of the therapeutic components or the individual, or other such determinants. Techniques for apportioning resources cost-effectively (between providers and other parties, e.g.) and for facilitating or handling implementations thereof or output therefrom.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of theearliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listedapplication(s) (the “Related Applications”) (e.g., claims earliestavailable priority dates for other than provisional patent applicationsor claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patentapplications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,etc. applications of the Related Application(s)). All subject matter ofthe Related Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent,great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Applications,including any priority claims, is incorporated herein by reference tothe extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of {Attorney Docket Nos.0907-002-001, 0907-062-003, 0907-002-004, 0907-002-005, and0907-002-006}, each entitled COST-EFFECTIVE RESOURCE APPORTIONMENTTECHNOLOGIES SUITABLE FOR FACILITATING THERAPIES, naming Rebeca Hwang,Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Dennis J. Rivet,Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Victoria Y. H. Wood, andLowell L. Wood, Jr., as inventors, filed on even date herewith, each ofwhich is currently co-pending or is an application of which a currentlyco-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication claims benefit of priority of {Attorney Docket Nos.0907-002-001, 0907-002-003, 0907-002-004, 0907-002-005, and0907-002-006}, each entitled COST-EFFECTIVE RESOURCE APPORTIONMENTTECHNOLOGIES SUITABLE FOR FACILITATING THERAPIES, naming Rebeca Hwang,Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Dennis J. Rivet,Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Victoria Y. H. Wood, andLowell L. Wood, Jr., as inventors, filed on even date herewith, each ofwhich was filed within the twelve months preceding the filing date ofthe present application or is an application of which a currentlyco-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to theeffect that the USPTO's computer programs require that patent applicantsreference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is acontinuation, continuation-in-part, or divisional of a parentapplication. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit of Prior-Filed Application, USPTOOfficial Gazette Mar. 18, 2003. The present Applicant Entity(hereinafter “Applicant”) has provided above a specific reference to theapplication(s) from which priority is being claimed as recited bystatute. Applicant understands that the statute is unambiguous in itsspecific reference language and does not require either a serial numberor any characterization, such as “continuation” or“continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S. patentapplications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicant understands thatthe USPTO's computer programs have certain data entry requirements, andhence Applicant has provided designation(s) of a relationship betweenthe present application and its parent application(s) as set'forthabove, but expressly points out that such designation(s) are not to beconstrued in any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as towhether or not the present application contains any new matter inaddition to the matter of its parent application(s).

TECHNICAL FIELD

Some variants relate to point-of-sale or monitoring systems thatindicate or implement incentives based on therapeutic components orother records on data-bearing media (user cards or similar articles inlocal interfaces, e.g.) and which may be classified inter alia in U.S.Class 235, Subclass 379 or 494.

SUMMARY

An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the methodincludes but is not limited to obtaining an indication of an incentivepartly based on a physical attribute of an individual and partly basedon an indication of a therapeutic component available to the individual,a component of the incentive being an incentive to the individual, andtransmitting the indication of the incentive partly based on thephysical attribute of the individual and partly based on the indicationof the therapeutic component available to the individual to a putativeprovider of the therapeutic component. In addition to the foregoing,other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and textforming a part of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related machines, compositions ofmatter, or manufactures of systems include but are not limited tocircuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced methodaspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually anycombination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effectthe herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choicesof the system designer.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to circuitry for obtaining an indication ofan incentive partly based on a physical attribute of an individual andpartly based on an indication of a therapeutic component available tothe individual, a component of the incentive being an incentive to theindividual, and circuitry for transmitting the indication of theincentive partly based on the physical attribute of the individual andpartly based on the indication of the therapeutic component available tothe individual to a putative provider of the therapeutic component. Inaddition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides an article of manufacture including a computerprogram product. In one implementation, the article of manufactureincludes but is not limited to a signal-bearing medium configured by oneor more instructions related to obtaining an indication of an incentivepartly based on a physical attribute of an individual and partly basedon an indication of a therapeutic component available to the individual,a component of the incentive being an incentive to the individual, andtransmitting the indication of the incentive partly based on thephysical attribute of the individual and partly based on the indicationof the therapeutic component available to the individual to a putativeprovider of the therapeutic component. In addition to the foregoing,other computer program product aspects are described in the claims,drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to a computing device and instructions. Theinstructions when executed on the computing device cause the computingdevice (a) to obtain an indication of an incentive partly based on aphysical attribute of an individual and partly based on an indication ofa therapeutic component available to the individual, a component of theincentive being an incentive to the individual, and (b) to transmit theindication of the incentive partly based on the physical attribute ofthe individual and partly based on the indication of the therapeuticcomponent available to the individual to a putative provider of thetherapeutic component. In addition to the foregoing, other systemaspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a partof the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the methodincludes but is not limited to assigning a component of an incentivepartly based on an indication of a therapeutic component administered toa portion of an individual and partly based on a profile of theindividual and transmitting a result of assigning the component of theincentive. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of thepresent disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related machines, compositions ofmatter, or manufactures of systems include but are not limited tocircuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced methodaspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually anycombination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effectthe herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choicesof the system designer.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of an individual and partly based on a profileof the individual and circuitry for transmitting a result of assigningthe component of the incentive. In addition to the foregoing, othersystem aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming apart of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides an article of manufacture including a computerprogram product. In one implementation, the article of manufactureincludes but is not limited to a signal-bearing medium configured by oneor more instructions related to assigning a component of an incentivepartly based on an indication of a therapeutic component administered toa portion of an individual and partly based on a profile of theindividual and transmitting a result of assigning the component of theincentive. In addition to the foregoing, other computer program productaspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a partof the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to a computing device and instructions. Theinstructions when executed on the computing device cause the computingdevice (a) to assign a component of an incentive partly based on anindication of a therapeutic component administered to a portion of anindividual and partly based on a profile of the individual and (b) totransmit a result of assigning the component of the incentive. Inaddition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the methodincludes but is not limited to obtaining an indication of an incentivepartly based on an indication of a health status apparently resultingfrom a bioactive material administered to an individual and partly basedon a profile of the individual and including the indication of theincentive in or with a (draft or transmitted signal or other) message.In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related machines, compositions ofmatter, or manufactures of systems include but are not limited tocircuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced methodaspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually anycombination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effectthe herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choicesof the system designer.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to circuitry for obtaining an indication ofan incentive partly based on an indication of a health status apparentlyresulting from a bioactive material administered to an individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual and circuitry for includingthe indication of the incentive in or with a message. In addition to theforegoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings,and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides an article of manufacture including a computerprogram product. In one implementation, the article of manufactureincludes but is not limited to a signal-bearing medium configured by oneor more instructions related to obtaining an indication of an incentivepartly based on an indication of a health status apparently resultingfrom a bioactive material administered to an individual and partly basedon a profile of the individual and including the indication of theincentive in or with a message. In addition to the foregoing, othercomputer program product aspects are described in the claims, drawings,and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to a computing device and instructions. Theinstructions when executed on the computing device cause the computingdevice (a) to obtain an indication of an incentive partly based on anindication of a health status apparently resulting from a bioactivematerial administered to an individual and partly based on a profile ofthe individual and (b) to include the indication of the incentive in orwith a message. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of thepresent disclosure.

An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the methodincludes but is not limited to obtaining first data indicating atherapeutic component having a first value V1, obtaining an indicationof an incentive having a second value V2>V1 and partly based on thetherapeutic component and partly based on a provider of the therapeuticcomponent and including the indication of the incentive in or with a(draft or transmitted signal or other) message. In addition to theforegoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings,and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related machines, compositions ofmatter, or manufactures of systems include but are not limited tocircuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced methodaspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually anycombination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effectthe herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choicesof the system designer.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to circuitry for obtaining first dataindicating a therapeutic component having a first value V1, obtaining anindication of an incentive having a second value V2>V1 and partly basedon the therapeutic component and partly based on a provider of thetherapeutic component and circuitry for including the indication of theincentive in or with a message. In addition to the foregoing, othersystem aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming apart of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides an article of manufacture including a computerprogram product. In one implementation, the article of manufactureincludes but is not limited to a signal-bearing medium configured by oneor more instructions related to obtaining first data indicating atherapeutic component having a first value V1, obtaining an indicationof an incentive having a second value V2>V1 and partly based on thetherapeutic component and partly based on a provider of the therapeuticcomponent and including the indication of the incentive in or with amessage. In addition to the foregoing, other computer program productaspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a partof the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to a computing device and instructions. Theinstructions when executed on the computing device cause the computingdevice (a) to obtain data indicating a therapeutic component having afirst value V1, (b) to obtain an indication of an incentive having asecond value V2>V1 and partly based on the therapeutic component andpartly based on a provider of the therapeutic component and (c) toinclude the indication of the incentive in or with a message. Inaddition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the methodincludes but is not limited to obtaining an indication of an incentiveat least partly based on an objective indication that a therapeuticcomponent has been administered to a portion of an individual andincluding the indication of the incentive in or with a (draft ortransmitted signal or other) message. In addition to the foregoing,other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and textforming a part of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related machines, compositions ofmatter, or manufactures of systems include but are not limited tocircuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced methodaspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually anycombination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effectthe herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choicesof the system designer.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to circuitry for obtaining an indication ofan incentive at least partly based on an objective indication that atherapeutic component has been administered to a portion of anindividual and circuitry for including the indication of the incentivein or with a message. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspectsare described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of thepresent disclosure.

An embodiment provides an article of manufacture including a computerprogram product. In one implementation, the article of manufactureincludes but is not limited to a signal-bearing medium configured by oneor more instructions related to obtaining an indication of an incentiveat least partly based on an objective indication that a therapeuticcomponent has been administered to a portion of an individual andincluding the indication of the incentive in or with a message. Inaddition to the foregoing, other computer program product aspects aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of thepresent disclosure.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to a computing device and instructions. Theinstructions when executed on the computing device cause the computingdevice (a) to obtain an indication of an incentive at least partly basedon an objective indication that a therapeutic component has beenadministered to a portion of an individual and (b) to include theindication of the incentive in or with a message. In addition to theforegoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings,and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the methodincludes but is not limited to selecting an indication of an incentivepartly based on a category of a therapeutic material and partly based onan indication of a dispensing device administering the therapeuticmaterial to an individual and including the indication of the incentivein or with a (draft or transmitted signal or other) message. In additionto the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims,drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related machines, compositions ofmatter, or manufactures of systems include but are not limited tocircuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced methodaspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually anycombination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effectthe herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choicesof the system designer.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to circuitry for selecting an indication ofan incentive partly based on a category of a therapeutic material andpartly based on an indication of a dispensing device administering thetherapeutic material to an individual and circuitry for including theindication of the incentive in or with a message. In addition to theforegoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings,and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides an article of manufacture including a computerprogram product. In one implementation, the article of manufactureincludes but is not limited to a signal-bearing medium configured by oneor more instructions related to selecting an indication of an incentivepartly based on a category of a therapeutic material and partly based onan indication of a dispensing device administering the therapeuticmaterial to an individual and including the indication of the incentivein or with a message. In addition to the foregoing, other computerprogram product aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and textforming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to a computing device and instructions. Theinstructions when executed on the computing device cause the computingdevice (a) to select an indication of an incentive partly based on acategory of a therapeutic material and partly based on an indication ofa dispensing device administering the therapeutic material to anindividual and (b) to include the indication of the incentive in or witha message. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of thepresent disclosure.

In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or system and/orprogram product aspects are set forth and described in the teachingssuch as text (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawingsof the present disclosure. The foregoing is a summary and thus maycontain simplifications, generalizations, inclusions, and/or omissionsof detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any waylimiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/orprocesses and/or other subject matter described herein will becomeapparent in the teachings set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary environment in which one or moretechnologies may be implemented in a compliance-indicative device.

FIG. 2 depicts a network having wireless signal paths or other suitablelinkages providing access among several parties.

FIGS. 3-10 respectively depict other exemplary environments in which oneor more technologies may be implemented.

FIG. 11 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational processdescribed with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational processdescribed with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 13 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational processdescribed with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 14 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational processdescribed with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational processdescribed with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational processdescribed with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary environment facilitating interaction withor observation of a vessel.

FIG. 18 depicts an exemplary environment featuring a routing unit.

FIG. 19 depicts an exemplary environment featuring a monitoring unit.

FIG. 20 depicts an exemplary environment featuring an event/conditiondetection unit.

FIG. 21 depicts variants of flows shown in one or more of FIGS. 11-16.

FIG. 22 depicts variants of flows shown in one or more of FIG. 11-16 or21.

FIG. 23 likewise depicts variants of earlier-presented flows.

FIG. 24 likewise depicts variants of earlier-presented flows.

FIG. 25 likewise depicts variants of earlier-presented flows.

FIG. 26 likewise depicts variants of earlier-presented flows.

FIG. 27 depicts a context for introducing one or more processes,systems, or other articles described herein.

FIG. 28 depicts another context for introducing one or more processes,systems, or other articles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware, software, and/or firmware implementations of aspectsof systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or firmware is generally(but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardwareand software can become significant) a design choice representing costvs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciatethat there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/orother technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware,software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will varywith the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or othertechnologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determinesthat speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for amainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibilityis paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly softwareimplementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt forsome combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, thereare several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devicesand/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none ofwhich is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to beutilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehiclewill be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, orpredictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilledin the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations willtypically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.

In some implementations described herein, logic and similarimplementations may include software or other control structuressuitable to operation. Electronic circuitry, for example, may manifestone or more paths of electrical current constructed and arranged toimplement various logic functions as described herein. In someimplementations, one or more media are configured to bear adevice-detectable implementation if such media hold or transmit aspecial-purpose device instruction set operable to perform as describedherein. In some variants, for example, this may manifest as an update orother modification of existing software or firmware, or of gate arraysor other programmable hardware, such as by performing a reception of ora transmission of one or more instructions in relation to one or moreoperations described herein. Alternatively or additionally, in somevariants, an implementation may include special-purpose hardware,software, firmware components, and/or general-purpose componentsexecuting or otherwise invoking special-purpose components.Specifications or other implementations may be transmitted by one ormore instances of tangible transmission media as described herein,optionally by packet transmission or otherwise by passing throughdistributed media at various times.

Alternatively or additionally, implementations may include executing aspecial-purpose instruction sequence or otherwise invoking circuitry forenabling, triggering, coordinating, requesting, or otherwise causing oneor more occurrences of any functional operations described below. Insome variants, operational or other logical descriptions herein may beexpressed directly as source code and compiled or otherwise invoked asan executable instruction sequence. In some contexts, for example, C++or other code sequences can be compiled directly or otherwiseimplemented in high-level descriptor languages (e.g., alogic-synthesizable language, a hardware description language, ahardware design simulation, and/or other such similar mode(s) ofexpression). Alternatively or additionally, some or all of the logicalexpression may be manifested as a Verilog-type hardware description orother circuitry model before physical implementation in hardware,especially for basic operations or timing-critical applications. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize how to obtain, configure, and optimizesuitable transmission or computational elements, material supplies,actuators, or other common structures in light of these teachings.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious embodiments described herein can be implemented, individuallyand/or collectively, by various types of electro-mechanical systemshaving a wide range of electrical components such as hardware, software,firmware, and/or virtually any combination thereof; and a wide range ofcomponents that may impart mechanical force or motion such as rigidbodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics, electro-magneticallyactuated devices, and/or virtually any combination thereof.Consequently, as used herein “electro-mechanical system” includes, butis not limited to, electrical circuitry operably coupled with atransducer (e.g., an actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal, a MicroElectro Mechanical System (MEMS), etc.), electrical circuitry having atleast one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having atleast one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming ageneral purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g.,a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which atleast partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein,or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at leastpartially carries out processes and/or devices described herein),electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of memory(e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), electrical circuitryforming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch,optical-electrical equipment, etc.), and/or any non-electrical analogthereto, such as optical or other analogs. Those skilled in the art willalso appreciate that examples of electro-mechanical systems include butare not limited to a variety of consumer electronics systems, medicaldevices, as well as other systems such as motorized transport systems,factory automation systems, security systems, and/orcommunication/computing systems. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat electro-mechanical as used herein is not necessarily limited to asystem that has both electrical and mechanical actuation except ascontext may dictate otherwise.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will also recognize thatthe various aspects described herein which can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, and/or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composedof various types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein“electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electricalcircuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electricalcircuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitryhaving at least one application specific integrated circuit, electricalcircuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by acomputer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by acomputer program which at least partially carries out processes and/ordevices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computerprogram which at least partially carries out processes and/or devicesdescribed herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g.,forms of memory (e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), and/orelectrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem,communications switch, optical-electrical equipment, etc.). Those havingskill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described hereinmay be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combinationthereof.

Those skilled in the art will further recognize that at least a portionof the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated intoan image processing system. A typical image processing system maygenerally include one or more of a system unit housing, a video displaydevice, memory such as volatile or non-volatile memory, processors suchas microprocessors or digital signal processors, computational entitiessuch as operating systems, drivers, applications programs, one or moreinteraction devices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna,etc.), control systems including feedback loops and control motors(e.g., feedback for sensing lens position and/or velocity; controlmotors for moving/distorting lenses to give desired focuses). An imageprocessing system may be implemented utilizing suitable commerciallyavailable components, such as those typically found in digital stillsystems and/or digital motion systems.

Those skilled in the art will likewise recognize that at least some ofthe devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into adata processing system. Those having skill in the art will recognizethat a data processing system generally includes one or more of a systemunit housing, a video display device, memory such as volatile ornon-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors or digitalsignal processors, computational entities such as operating systems,drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one ormore interaction devices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna,etc.), and/or control systems including feedback loops and controlmotors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; controlmotors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A dataprocessing system may be implemented utilizing suitable commerciallyavailable components, such as those typically found in datacomputing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems.

With reference now to FIG. 1, shown is a system 100 in which one or moretechnologies may be implemented. System 100 may include one or moresample testers 160, dispensers 170, computers 180, or portable displaymodules 185 implementing a compliance-indicative device 190. In somevariants, such devices may include one or more inputs 182, outputs 181,magnetic or other storage media 152, display media 154, transmissionmedia 156, or other media 150 for handing messages 158 indicative ofcompliance (or noncompliance) with a therapeutic regimen. In somecontexts, such messages or other records may explicitly associate anactual (accomplished) or prospective incentive 140 that is physical andtangible: a card or other device-readable medium granting a membershipor other temporary access for one or more increments 111, 112, 113 oftime; cash or other certificates indicative of points 116, credits 117or other physical media of exchange; medications, nutritionalsupplements, exercise equipment, or other goods transferred as paymentsin kind 118; or other such resources 119 directly manifesting aphysical, tangible benefit 120 as (at least part of) the incentive.Alternatively or additionally, such incentives can include one or morediscounts or other terms 131, 132 or conditions 134, 135; performanceratings 138 or favorable referrals 141, 142; policies, rebates, or othereligibilities 146, 147; or supplemental therapies or other such services148. In some contexts, as exemplified below, a combination of suchincentives may be necessary or helpful for motivating qualified patientsto comply with a testing or treatment regimen or for motivating othersto explain or otherwise facilitate an individual's participation orenrollment in a testing or treatment program.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for identifying and administering tangible or other incentiveseffectively to motivate individuals to suggest or elect products orprograms as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 7,739,115 (“Script compliance and agent feedback”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,668,747 (“System and method for providing incentives topurchasers”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,653,594 (“Targeted incentives based uponpredicted behavior”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,624,051 (“Method and system forforming a list-based value discovery network”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,555,444(“Dynamic time-of-purchasing-decision incentive system and method”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,433,834 (“Apparatus and method for facilitatingtransactions”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,245 (“Method and apparatus forproviding incentives to physicians”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,376,700 (“Personalcoaching system for clients with ongoing concerns such as weight loss”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,373,318 (“Information recommendation apparatus andinformation recommendation system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,016,854 (“Loyaltylink method and apparatus with audio performance for integratingcustomer information with dealer management information”); U.S. Pat. No.6,988,132 (“System and method for identifying and establishing preferredmodalities or channels for communications based on participants'preferences and contexts”); U.S. Pat. No. 6952678 (“Method, apparatus,and manufacture for facilitating a self-organizing workforce”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,901,347 (“Availability, reliability or maintainability indexincluding outage characterization”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,508(“Evaluation apparatus with voting system, evaluation method with votingsystem, and a computer product”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,124 (“Amusementgame incentive points system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,811 (“Drug abuseprevention computer game”); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,314 (“Referralrecognition system for an incentive award program”).

With reference now to FIG. 2, shown is a network 240 having wirelesssignal paths or other suitable linkages 206, 226, 256, 276 providingaccess among several parties. An insurer, policymaker, programenrollment coordinator, or similar service provider 210 may have accessthrough a control unit 205, for example, implementing a local displaymodule 185 or other media 150 as described herein. One or more supporttechnicians 261, program enrollment coordinators, or other such agents262 may similarly access or provide data through network 240 via serversor other response units 255 implementing media 150. Individuals 282prospectively or actually participating in a therapeutic or monitoringregimen as described herein may similarly communicate with others onnetwork 240 via a portable or other local interaction unit 275. Materialproviders 281 or care providers 283 having regular opportunities tointeract personally with such individuals 282 may likewise have localinteraction units 276 operable for indicating compliance, enrollment, orsimilar events to be tracked pursuant to therapeutic components(products or other requirements of a prescribed regimen, e.g.) orartificial incentives 140 as described herein. Alternatively oradditionally, correspondence or incentive deliveries to one or morebeneficiaries 221 or other recipients 222 may occur automatically viaone or more delivery units 225 as described herein. Any such controlunits 205, delivery units 225, response units 255, or interaction units275 may (optionally) include one or more storage media 152, displaymedia 154, transmission media 156 or other modules indicating,delivering, or otherwise manifesting one or more (artificial) incentives140 as described herein.

With reference now to FIG. 3, shown is a system 300 in which one or moretechnologies may be implemented. In some variants, units as describedabove may collectively or individually comprise system 300 such that oneor more transmission media 355 operably couples an incentivedetermination unit 350 through one or more linking units 390 (vianetwork 240 or with a local party, e.g.). Such incentive determinationunits 350 may include media bearing material identifiers 311, materialcategories 312, material values 313, or other such bioactive materialindications 310; indications 315 that bioactive material has beenadministered; a patient's physical attributes 321, preferences 322,enrollment status, or other attributes 320 as described herein; andsuitable incentive type data 326, inventory and other incentive sourcedata 327, and other such determinants 330 useful for selecting,adapting, redirecting, or otherwise modulating an incentive for targetindividuals 282 to receive or accept a message about a therapeuticprogram or to enroll (as desired and identified by a study sponsor orother service provider 210, e.g.). In some variants, for example, aservice provider 210 or technician 261 may automate an incentivedetermination module 350 by configuring one or more beneficiaryselection modules 342, recipient selection modules 344, incentiveselection modules 346, or incentive computation modules 348 therein.Such modules may include computer-executable code executable by one ormore processors or other circuitry for conditioning the incentive uponvarious criteria (a result of comparing an identified provider with apreferred provider list, for example, or of comparing a preferredincentive type with an inventory of currently available incentives 140),for example, as described in detail below. Outputs from an incentivedetermination unit 350 may include one or more incentive indications371, 372 (components of incentives indicated locally to a party viainterface 380 or remotely as messages 158 via network 240, e.g.) orother components of messages 158 as described herein.

With reference now to FIG. 4, shown is a system 400 in which one or moretechnologies may be implemented. System 400 includes one or morephysical, tangible media 450 (configured for data storage, display, orcomputation, e.g.) configured to bear various data 430 usable asdeterminants 330 affecting an incentive as described herein. Such datamay include one or more antiviral material components 422 or otherantibiotic material components 423 or other anti-infective materialcomponents, nitric-oxide-donor material components 425, antihypertensivematerial components 431, statin-containing material components 432 orother plasma-lipid modifying material components,nutraceutical-containing material components 433, biometric data 436pertaining to one or more parties (as identified above, e.g.), eventtimes or other time data 435, dosages 437, or other informationalmaterial components 434 as described below. Such media may likewisehandle one or more prior measurements 453; current measurements 454;thresholds 461, 462, 463, 464, 465; bioactive material categories 484;requests 488; accounts 489; or other indications 471, 472, 473, 474,475, 476 or results as described below. In some contexts, one or moredeterminants of an incentive may include an indication of whether atherapeutic component was administered within a prescribedinterval—relative to a time of day, a meal, bedtime, or a prioradministration of the same or another therapeutic component, forexample. This can occur, for example, in a context in which the dataindicates substantial or sufficient compliance: a measurement fallingwithin a prescribed range, a success rate over 90%, a fixed number ofsuccessful or timely administrations, or some combination of suchdeterminants designated by a physician or policy administrator.

Several of the above-described media 355, 450 or systems 100, 300manifest respective embodiments configured to allocate informational orother resources in a sequence and manner that is sufficient to obtainone or more requisite indications of measurement, therapy, compliance,consent, apparent pathology, or other such events or conditions relatingdirectly to an identifiable subpopulation. (Descriptive terms like“apparent” or “local” are used herein normally, except as otherwisedictated by context, to refer to a binary or absolute categorization ofevents or conditions and not as terms of degree.) This can occur, forexample, in a context in which no available digital record identifies agroup of individuals with the subpopulation or in which one or moredemographic, psychological, genetic, or other attributes of specificinterest are missing from a locally available record. In some variants,for example, the most useful data available on the medium or system maydescribe an intermediary (system, institution, or agent) having arestricted or other controlled relationship with several potentialpatients, research subjects, or other individuals 282 of potentialinterest. As described below, for example, such intermediaries mayinclude one or more delivery units 225, interaction units 275,hospitals, clinics, material providers 281, care providers 283, or otherentities (in a respective proximity to a beneficiary 221, recipient 222,or other individual 282, e.g.). In some variants, such monitoring unitsor interfaces may include one or more dispensing or record-updatemechanisms configured to deliver a therapeutic or incentive componentlocally (in or on a user card, printed prescription, voucher, or vessellabel accessible to a recipient 222 or other party, e.g.). Alternativelyor additionally, some embodiments (of flows exemplified in FIGS. 11-16and related systems, e.g.) may be configured to allocate such resourcesin a context in which a conventional apportionment is probably going tobe insufficient (as designated by a researcher or other service provider210 via control unit 205, e.g.) to cause a requisite level of enrollmentor compliance.

With reference now to FIG. 5, shown is a system 500 in which one or moretechnologies may be implemented. In response to input 571 (from materialor service providers, e.g.), response unit 580 may provide output 572 toone or more providers 520 (via interfaces 518, e.g.) that includes oneor more indications 521, 522 of incentives to individuals 525. Suchindications may take into account material indications 575 of aninoculant 571, inhalant 572, or other therapeutic component available tothe individual 510 to which the incentive may draw attention. In somevariants, the incentive to be indicated may depend upon the age 581,gender 582, deficiencies 583 (of one or more measurements indicative oforgan performance or nutrient concentration in blood, e.g.), excesses584 (of blood pressure, body weight, or other such measurements, e.g.),or other demographic and/or physical attributes of the individual thatbecome known to provider 520. This can occur, for example, in a contextin which notifying qualifying individuals 282 indirectly (via putativematerial or service providers who may have access to such individuals)about such incentives available to the individual relating to atherapeutic component available to the individual, is expected to resultin faster recruitment even in light of patient privacy considerations.

In some contexts, for example, a “therapeutic component” may include anantibiotic or other bioactive material, a physical therapy or othersequence of operations, an administration of one or more such materialsor operations, a regimen calling for such material or operations, orinformational data characterizing such therapeutic treatments (such as adosage or duration, e.g.).

With reference now to FIG. 11, shown is a high-level logic flow 1100 ofan operational process. Operation 1120 describes obtaining an indicationof an incentive to an individual partly based on a physical attribute ofthe individual and partly based on an indication of a therapeuticcomponent available to the individual (e.g. a public kiosk, handhelddevice, or other interface 518 receiving one or more indications 521,522 of an offer or other incentive to an individual 525 based on a bodyweight, gender 582, or other such physical attributes 590 of theindividual 510). This can occur, for example, in a context in whichinterface 518 uses such physical attribute(s) 590 to look up such anindication 521 (in a remote database via network 240, e.g.) or in whichprovider 520 enters local user data associating one or more physicalattributes with one or more incentives to an individual 510. In somecontexts, for example, information such as disease state, an eye coloror other genetic indicator, a body mass index (BMI), a measurement orother objectively-manifested symptom, or other such attributes arereceived as input 571 and used to determine one or more incentives 140suitable for a clinical trial subject, market demographic surveyparticipant, or other member of a target subpopulation. Alternatively oradditionally, in some variants, an attribute location and/or severitymay be used to differentiate among two or more classes of incentive. Forexample, in some embodiments, looking up an injury or disease of thehead or neck would yield a first indication 521 of an incentive to anindividual 510 where a disorder of the legs or feet would yield adifferent indication 522 of another incentive to the individual 525.

In some variants, such interface units may contain one or more modulesconfigured to perform operation 1120. Such modules may, for example,include incentive determination unit 350 or other circuitry configuredto invoke incentive selection module 346 responsive to physicalattributes 321 (and, optionally, other attributes 320) to obtain anindication 521 of an incentive to an individual 525. This can occur, forexample, in a context in which interface unit 518 invokes incentivedetermination unit 350 to use indications of heart disease, diabetes, orother subject disorders to obtain one or more indications 521, 522 ofincentive to an individual 525 and in which age or other physicalattributes 590 are also used as determinant(s) in obtaining anindication 521 of incentive to an individual 525.

In some contexts, a result is “partly based on” a determinant if theresult depends on the determinant conditionally (in combination with oneor more other determinants, for example, by an AND or OR function).Whether a performance result is “noncompliant” can depend upon both (1)a program regimen indicating that a measurement is required and (2) anabsence of the required measurement, for example, in which case theresult is partly based on the requirement and partly based on theabsence. A component of an incentive (to a specific individual 282participating in a program, e.g.) that depends on a combination ofcurrent measurements 454, biometric data 436, bioactive materialindications 310, or other such determinants 330 as exemplified herein,moreover, is “partly based on” each such value.

Moreover an incentive is “partly based” on a determinant (a preferenceor consent of the individual, e.g.) if it is also partly based on atleast one other determinant (a category or cost of a therapeuticcomponent, e.g.) such that the incentive depends on each of thedeterminants. As exemplified and described herein, suchjointly-dependent determinations may depend upon some combination of twoor more of (1) a category or provider of a therapeutic component, (2) aphysical attribute or profile of the individual, (3) an indication of ahealth status of the individual, (4) an indication of a dispensingdevice administering a therapeutic material, (5) whether a component isin stock or otherwise “available to” an individual, or (6) other suchindicia described herein. In some contexts, a bioactive material orother therapeutic component is “available to” an individual if aphysician has prescribed the component or if the individual can obtainthe component without a prescription. Also a material is “available to”an individual if it has been injected into the individual's tissue orvasculature, spread onto the individual's skin or mucous membrane, orotherwise “administered to a portion” of the individual.

Operation 1150 describes transmitting the indication of the incentive tothe individual to a putative provider of the therapeutic component (e.g.a response unit 580 operatively coupled to the interface relaying output572 containing one or more indications 521 of the incentive to provider520). This can occur, for example, in a context in which response unit580 packages at least an incentive to an individual 521 into a message158 to a care provider 283, optionally with one or more (indications of)physical attributes 590. Alternatively or additionally, informationpertaining to influenza, HIV, or other infectious diseases may bepackaged with monetary, service or other incentives into message 158sent to material provider 281 (via linking unit 390, e.g.).

In some variants, such a response unit may contain one or more modulesconfigured to perform operation 1150. Such modules may, for example,include (one or more implementations of) linking unit 390 or othercircuitry configured to transmit one or more messages 158 across network240 to respective providers. This can occur, for example, in a contextin which an injury type or location, a disease state, or some otherphysical attribute 590 coupled with a selected indication 521 of anincentive to individual 525 is compatible with a pharmaceutical or othermaterial indication 575 for treatment and in which the message recipientis a material provider 281. Alternatively or additionally, physicaltherapists, psychologists, or other service providers 210 may berecipients of notification when a physical attribute 590 and a selectedindication 525 of an incentive to individual 521 provide evidence thatsuch attributes may qualify the individual for an opportunity.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for transmitting age, disability status, or other qualifyingattributes to a local or remote entity as described herein without undueexperimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,544 (“Nursing pad”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,412,396 (“Virtual clinic for medical practice”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,399,276 (“Remote health monitoring system”); U.S. Pat. No.7,264,591 (“System and method for monitoring air flow from a person”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,666 (“System and methods for monitoring a patient'sheart condition”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,041,468 (“Blood glucose trackingapparatus and methods”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,375 (“Networked system forinteractive communication and remote monitoring of individuals”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,942,616 (“System and method for collecting and transmittingmedical data”).

In some network contexts, more than one entity may perform instances ofoperation 1120. Operation 1120 may be performed by a service provider210 who has a control unit 205 configured for receiving or otherwiseobtaining an indication of an incentive to an individual partly based ona physical attribute of the individual and partly based on an indicationof a therapeutic component available to the individual. Such aninterface may generate or otherwise provide such indications to serviceprovider 210 as computational output, in some embodiments, afterobtaining such operands directly via network 240. In other contexts,however, a server or other circuitry for generating the indication ofthe incentive(s) (within network 240 or at a remote location, forexample) may permit control unit 205 to perform operation 1120 merely byrelaying such indication(s). More than one entity may likewise performinstances of operation 1150 in a sequential flow or by similarconcurrent, overlapping, or other variant logical arrangement. In somecontexts, for example, a person may perform operation 1150 bytransmitting the indication via network 240, which remotely relays theindication to the individual 282 or other appropriate parties (vialinkage 276, e.g.).

With reference now to FIG. 6, shown is a system 600 in which one or moretechnologies may be implemented. Processing unit 610 may be implementedas a standalone device installed at a kiosk or clinic, for example, ormay be implemented in an incentive determination unit 350 (server, e.g.)remote from the target individual(s) 282 and their providers. Processingunit 610 includes one or more selection tables 630 artificially definingincentives 621, 622, 623 that depend on a combination of two or moredeterminants (depicted respectively as “rows” 614, 615, 616 and“columns” 607, 608, 609 in the example of FIG. 6). In some contexts,processing unit 610 responds to a combination of determinants(respectively identifying row 614 and column 609, e.g.) by generating aselection 640 of specific incentive 623 as a result. Alternatively oradditionally, the resulting selection 640 may define an incentive to anindividual 641 who is to receive or has received a therapeutic componentdescribed herein. In some variants, a profile 660 of such an individualdefines a combination of attributes 654, 655 of specific interest to anagent 262 who configures the selection table(s) or equivalent controlcircuitry. For example, agent 262 can configure column 607 to define afirst incentive 621 (represented as a triangle, e.g.) forotherwise-healthy obese individuals (represented as row 614, e.g.) orfor healthy children (represented as row 615, e.g.) but to define asecond incentive 622 (represented as a square, e.g.) for individualswith significant infections or other major health problems (representedas row 616, e.g.). This can occur, for example, in a context in whichthe first incentive 621 includes at least an eligibility 147 (for prizedrawings as an incentive component, for example) and the secondincentive 622 includes at least a discount or cash rebate forpharmaceuticals or other conventional medical treatment (as anotherincentive component, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, a secondincentive may include different component incentives depending on abioactive material category 484 (“generic” bioactive material 681 or“name-brand” bioactive material, e.g.) designated or used for thetreatment.

With reference now to FIG. 12, shown is a high-level logic flow 1200 ofan operational process. Operation 1230 describes assigning an incentiveto an individual partly based on an indication of a therapeuticcomponent administered to a portion of the individual and partly basedon a profile of the individual (e.g. a database or other processing unit610 looking up a selection 640 of an incentive to an individual 641 froma selection table 630 responsive to an indication of administration of abioactive material 685 onto or into the individual). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which incentive to an individual 641 isselected from table 630 responsive to a current measurement 454indicating application of bioactive material 685 locally to a portion ofa patient (a targeted drug, topical creme, or other therapy that is notprimarily systemic, e.g.) and in which two or more attributes 654, 655of the patient's profile 660 define the respective row and column thatpertains. In some contexts, for example, measurement 654 may be a directmeasurement of a physical property of material 685 indicating presenceof the material (or a metabolite thereof) in a region of interest.Alternatively or additionally, in some variants, measurement value 654may be an indirect measurement of an apparent effect material 685 has ona body part of interest (such as changes in heart rate, intraocularpressure, or other physical attributes, e.g.).

In some variants, processing unit 610 may contain an incentivedetermination unit 350 or other circuitry for assigning an incentive toan individual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual. This can occur, for example, in a context inwhich the profile includes the individual's (or a care provider's)preferences or other selections as determinant attributes 654, 655 atleast sometimes affecting the result of the assignment and in whichoptical, chemical, and/or other measurement data 430 obtained in-vivo orin-vitro may be used to indicate a presence and/or quantity of bioactivematerial 685 in one or more subject regions of the individual. Usingmeasurement data 654 as the indication of the therapeutic componentadministered to the portion of the individual, for example, incentiveselection module 346 may select an incentive to an individual 641 from aselection table or equivalent logic, optionally implemented in software.In some contexts, for example, measurement values which exceed athreshold 461 indicating compliance by the individual will result in anassignment of name-brand bioactive material 682 to the individual, orsome other such tangible incentive. In the example of selection table630, for example, each row 614, 615, 616 and column 607, 608, 609pairing provide a mechanism in which a particular incentive (including acomponent incentive to the individual) may be selected. For example, inone embodiment, each row in table 630 relates to a respective profile660 of an individual 282 and each column corresponds to a respectiveindication of the therapeutic component administered to the portion ofthe individual. In some contexts, several stepwise thresholds 461, 462,463 may be used in a context in which an additional or more desirablealternate incentive 622 is selected with exceeding each successivethreshold reached. In some contexts, moreover, a selection of incentive621 may depend upon the detection of one or more bioactive materials 685and also upon the count, identity 311, category 312 (or combinationthereof) of the materials 685 detected.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for using physiological or other measurement values as one ormore decision-making criteria in rebate, reward, or other programselections as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 7,493,264 (“Method of care assessment and healthmanagement”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,447,643 (“Systems and methods forcommunicating between a decision-support system and one or more mobileinformation devices”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,248,171 (“RFID systems forautomatically triggering and delivering stimuli”); U.S. Pat. No.7,184,963 (“Method for determining care and prevention pathways forclinical management of wounds”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,253 (“Penalty ofcell reselection for a wireless device”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,188(“Interactive reward devices and methods”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,366,848(Engine control system for providing incentives to drivers”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,352,053 (“Apparatus and method for animal testing and training”);U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,136 (“Satellite communication and truck driver bonusnotification and awards system”).

In some contexts, a medical policy provider or similar service provider210 may program a control unit or other processing unit 610 to performoperation 1230. The incentive selection 640 may be partly based on amaterial name, a prescription number, a therapy type, a body part, orsome other such indication of the therapeutic component(s) representedwithin a finite list of allowable values (e.g., as schematicallydepicted in FIG. 6 as respective columns). The incentive selection 640may likewise be based on one or more of an age, pathological condition,or other physical attribute of the individual 282 represented within afinite list of allowable values (e.g., as schematically depicted in FIG.6 as respective rows). A corresponding incentive to the individual 282may be an indirect or intangible component such as a lower policypremium or enhanced coverage. Another corresponding incentive to theindividual 282 may be an immediate and tangible item such as cash orgoods dispensed to the individual 282 via interaction unit 275. In somevariants, service provider 210 may select different incentives 622, 623for different individuals 282 who subscribe, based on their preferencesor other attributes 655 of their respective profiles 660. Alternativelyor additionally, although selection table 1230 is depicted in twodimensions, those skilled in the art will recognize that other variablesmay also affect the selection 640, readily implemented in tables ofthree or more dimensions or in functionally equivalent logic. In somevariants, for example, an expert service provider or technician 261 maydesign a selection table that prioritizes subscribers and conditionsbased on the financial importance of having a treatment performedpromptly or on the nature (severity or risk, e.g.) of a subscriber'scondition. Alternatively or additionally, processing unit 610 may causecontrol unit 205 simply to display the indication of the therapeuticcomponent administered to the portion of the individual and the physicalattribute of the individual to an authorized service provider 210 and toreceive the selection of the incentive(s) to the individual 282 receivedin response.

Operation 1260 describes transmitting a result of assigning theincentive (e.g. router or other linking unit 390 invoking TCP/IP orother interfaces 380 to transmit one or more components of the incentiveselection to the individual 282 or his material provider 281). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which a control unit 205 or otherprocessing unit 610 has selected one or more incentives 641, triggeringa notification of the selection to linking unit 390. Linking unit 390invokes transmission circuitry including one or more interfaces 380 totransmit message 158 configured to contain at least a selection 640 ofan incentive to an individual 282 to one or more of care provider 283,service provider 210, material provider 281, or other such party throughnetwork 240. In some contexts, for example, the individual 282, anothermessage recipient 222, and a service provider 210 are notified of aselection of incentive(s) to process and deliver the incentive(s) to theindividual 282 and to other beneficiaries 221. Alternatively oradditionally, in some variants, a notification of an incentive to anindividual 282 may be transmitted to a care provider 283 or serviceprovider 210 as evidence of patient compliance.

In some variants, linking unit 390 may contain one or more modulesconfigured to perform operation 1260. Such modules may, for example,include control unit 205 or other circuitry for the assembly of one ormore messages 158 from a selected incentive to an individual 641.Alternatively or additionally, such modules may include one or moreports 386 configured to connect to network 240 for transmission ofmessage 158 to one or more remote parties (a care provider 283, serviceprovider 210, material provider 281, or beneficiary 221, e.g.). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which interface 380 of linking unit390 selects one or more ports 385, 386 for transmission of message 158based upon a subscriber list or other predetermined distribution list ofintended recipients of message 158. Alternatively or additionally,linking unit 390 may (optionally) contain an output 181 or otherinterface 380 configured to display message 158 on one or more localmedia devices such as a printer, PDA, mobile phone, or other displaymodule 185.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for transmitting incentive selections across a communicationmedium for appropriately disseminating requests or other notificationsas described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat.No. 7,483,670 (“Method and apparatus for educational testing”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,359,866 (“Systems and methods for promoting customer loyaltyon the Internet”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,334,541 (“Animal behavior shapingdevice”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,188 (“Interactive reward devices andmethods”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,592 (“Automatic positive behaviorreinforcement trainer”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,434,534 (“Method and system forprocessing customized reward offers”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,586(“Computerized reward system for encouraging participation in a healthmanagement program”).

In some network contexts, more than one entity may perform instances ofoperation 1230. Operation 1230 may be performed by a recipient 222 whohas a delivery unit 255 configured for computing (or remotely invokingan incentive determination unit 350 or other circuitry for assigning) anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual. Such an interface maygenerate or otherwise provide such indication(s) to recipient 222 ascomputational output, in some embodiments, after obtaining such operandsdirectly via network 240. In other contexts, however, a server or othercircuitry for generating the indication of the incentive(s) (withinnetwork 240 or at a remote location, for example) may permit deliveryunit 255 to perform operation 1230 merely by relaying suchindication(s). More than one entity may likewise perform instances ofoperation 1260 in a sequential flow or by similar concurrent,overlapping, or other variant logical arrangement. In some contexts, forexample, an initial recipient 222 may perform operation 1260 bytransmitting a notification directly indicative of the incentive(s), aresource constituting the incentive, or some other useful result of theassignment of the incentive (in network 240, e.g.).

With reference now to FIG. 7, shown is a system 700 in which one or moretechnologies may be implemented. Processing unit 740 may include one ormore instances of comparators 720, modules for determining an incentiveto an individual in response to the individual's attributes 755,displays 761, speakers 762, modules 765 for handling incentives toindividuals 767, and transmission media 770 as described herein.Comparator 720 may include circuitry for generating a Boolean or otherdigital output responsive to health-status-indicative determinants 721or other scalar or natural language determinants as described herein.Such determinants may, for example, be compared (mathematically ortextually, e.g.) against bioactive-material-dependent thresholds 722 orother comparands (associated with a trend or range of normalcy in orderived from a profile of an individual receiving a therapeuticcomponent, e.g.) as described herein. In some variants comparisonresults from comparator 720 may be used to enable or otherwise modulatecircuitry or other modules for determining an incentive to an individualin response to the individual's attributes 755 directly as determinantsindicative of health status 751 (textually, numerically, or otherwiseindicating “unimproved” during or after a therapeutic regimen targetinga measurable symptom or other device-detectable attribute, e.g.). Duringan interval in which a therapeutic objective (a specified weight loss orblood pressure reduction, e.g.) of a regimen was achieved, for example,a health status 751 may (conditionally and selectively) indicate anaffirmative expression (“success,” e.g.) or a quantity (computed as adifference, e.g.). In some variants, moreover, a “health status” maydenote a normal state, a pathological state, a stage of a disease (acancer stage, treatment stage, or remission stage, e.g.), a stage orstate of pregnancy, or other such descriptors relating an individual toa disease, injury, symptom, or other variable health condition.Alternatively or additionally, the type and scale of the incentive maydepend upon one or more physical attributes 752, a selection history 753(potentially indicative of an incentive recipient's preferences, e.g.),or other components in a profile of the individual 282 or other party(provided by a therapist or other care provider 283, e.g.).

With reference now to FIG. 13, shown is a high-level logic flow 1300 ofan operational process. Operation 1350 describes obtaining an indicationof an incentive to an individual partly based on an indication of ahealth status apparently resulting from a bioactive materialadministered to the individual and partly based on a profile of theindividual (e.g. a software-implemented or other module 755 fordetermining an incentive to individual 282 in response to theindividual's attributes generating or otherwise obtaining an indicationof an incentive 767 to an individual responsive to a topical treatmentand to a weight, age, or other physical attribute 752 of theindividual). This can occur, for example, in a context in which such amodule receives a prompted menu selection or other indication of apatient reporting an unchanged health status 751 shortly after receivingan antibiotic or other bioactive material prescribed for a priorcomplaint or other symptom by the patient. In some contexts thecircuitry may identify an incentive for a patient to cooperate with anurse-assisted ingestion or injection of a material (by coming into aclinic, for example) in response to an indication (in profile 660, e.g.)that the therapy apparently failed because the patient was not followingthrough with a prescribed dosage frequency (such indication having beenselected by a clinician, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally,processing unit 740 may invoke one or more comparators 720 for theevaluation of one or more components of current health status 751 orother physical attributes 752 to obtain the indication of the incentive767. In some contexts, for example, comparator 720 may be configured toapply band pass filters or other such computational operations to timedata 435 or other such health-status-indicative determinants 721.Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, sensors placed on anindividual may measure physical activity, temperature, or other physicalattributes 752 of the individual as determinants of (i.e., affecting atleast some indications of) incentives to individuals 767 or may beimplemented as an automated telephonic inquiry to such patients,providers, or others identified herein.

In some variants, processing unit 740 may contain one or more modulesconfigured to perform operation 1350. Such modules may, for example,include an incentive selection module 346 or other circuitry configuredto invoke one or more comparators 720 to perform evaluation of one ormore patient attributes 320. This can occur, for example, in a contextin which a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other determinant moduleobtains indications of an incentive to individual 767 responsive to thecomparison of a physical attribute 321 to a bioactive-material-dependantthreshold 722 or other such comparison criteria. Alternatively oradditionally, incentive selection module 346 may use other selectioncriteria such as patient preferences 322 in addition to a health status751 or other value apparently resulting from a (successful or other)bioactive material 810 in determining the indication of incentive 767.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for using physiological or other measurement data as decisioncriteria for assessing whether a reward, rebate, or other incentive iswarranted as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 7,483,670 (“Method and apparatus for educationaltesting”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,541 (“Training guidance system forcanines, felines, or other animals”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,375,640 (“System,method and implementation for increasing a likelihood of improved handhygiene in a desirably sanitary environment”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,334,541(“Animal behavior shaping device”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,188(“Interactive reward devices and methods”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,592(“Automatic positive behavior reinforcement trainer”); U.S. Pat. No.6,585,518 (“Adaptive motivation for computer-assisted training system”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,943 (“Respiratory sinus arrhythmia trainingsystem”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,101 (“Method and apparatus for cognitivetraining of humans using adaptive timing of exercises”); U.S. Pat. No.6,041,737 (“Litter box trainer”).

Operation 1380 describes transmitting the indication of the incentive(e.g. cellular phone or other linking unit 390 invoking an antenna orother transmission medium 770 to transmit the indication of theincentive to the individual to a service provider). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which system 300 implements processing unit 740and in which an interface 380 receives a notification of an incentive toan individual 767 (as incentive indication 371, e.g.), packages it intoone or more messages 158, and invokes linking unit 390 to transmit eachsuch message 158 via a respective transmission medium 770. In somecontexts, for example, linking unit 390 may transmit a message 158indicating an available service 148 or other incentive 140 (tangible orotherwise) for which the individual qualifies to a party, a recipientselection module 344, or other such message recipients.

In some variants, transmission medium 770 may contain one or moremodules configured to perform operation 1380. Such modules may, forexample, include a linking unit 390 or other circuitry configured toinvoke one or more ports 385, 386 linked to communication network 240for the transmission of message 158 which includes a digitally-certifiedinvitation (an attached coupon, e.g.) or other incentive to individual767. This can occur, for example, in a context in which incentivedetermination unit 350 or other processing unit 740 invokes transmissionmedium 770 to configure message 158 to contain at least the incentive toindividual 767. Transmission medium 770 may then invoke linking unit 390to transmit message 158 to handheld devices or other suitable deliveryunits 225. Alternatively or additionally, other recipients such asservice provider 210 or other providers may be the recipient of amessage 158 about an incentive to an individual 282 who may be a clientor customer of the provider(s).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for transmitting a determination of incentive, service, or otherprogram eligibility across a communications medium as described hereinwithout undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,483,838(“System and method for recruitment of candidates for clinical trialswhile maintaining security”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,889 (“Bonus round formultiple gaming machines where award is multiplied based on certainvariables”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,406,480 (“Automated voter registration andtabulation system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,707 (“Method and system forcredit card reimbursements for health care transactions”); U.S. Pat. No.7,194,416 (“Interactive creation and adjudication of health careinsurance claims”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,302 (“System and method forprocessing flexible spending account transactions”); U.S. Pat. No.7,072,842 (“Payment of health care insurance claims using short-termloans”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,839,678 (“Computerized system for conductingmedical studies”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,586 (“Computerized reward systemfor encouraging participation in a health management program”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,011,835 (“Method and apparatus for determining a caller'seligibility for a lottery and advising lottery winner during a samecall”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,731 (“Method and system for interactiveprescription and distribution of prescriptions in conducting clinicalstudies”).

In some contexts, an insurance company or similar service provider 210may program a control unit or other processing unit 740 to signalincentives to a subscriber (to a prescribed regimen, e.g.) responsive toevidence of compliance (with the prescribed regimen, e.g.) by thesubscriber. Such evidence may include an indication of a health status751 that has been deemed (by an insurance provider or other serviceprovider 210, e.g.) sufficient to infer that a given therapeuticcomponent has been administered to the individual. Such health statusmay be established as “apparently resulting” by a care provider 283stating that the individual has received such therapies. In somecontexts, moreover, it may be established by indirect evidence(accepting an unchanging skin tone as evidence that sunscreen has beenapplied to a patient's face, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, adispenser 170 or similar device may record or transmit indications ofdispensations consistent or inconsistent with a regimen, whichindications may constitute such evidence. Additionally, such evidencemay include one or more other physical attributes of the individual,such as in a case where a physician selects a dosage or other aspect ofa regimen according to a patient's physical attributes 590.Alternatively or additionally, non-physical attributes (patient orprovider preferences, e.g.) or pragmatic considerations (a treatmentcost or a physician-predicted likelihood of success, e.g.) may affectthe incentive to the individual indicated by operation 1350. In somevariants, moreover, module 765 may implement circuitry for obtaining anindication of an incentive to an individual partly based on anindication of a health status apparently resulting from a bioactivematerial administered to the individual and partly based on a profile ofthe individual by retrieving various incentives to individual 767 byperforming a search (across network 240, e.g.) of one or more remotesources using one or more search terms obtained from the individual'sprofile.

With reference now to FIG. 8, shown is a system 800 in which one or moretechnologies may be implemented. Processing unit 890 may receive one ormore messages 830 from a provider 820 (via interface 818, e.g.) relatingto a bioactive material 810 or other therapeutic component as input 855.Processing logic 875 may (optionally) respond to data 831 indicating abioactive material having a (published or other nominal) first value bygenerating or selecting an indication 861 of one or more incentiveshaving a second value independent of or in excess of the first value.Processing logic 875 may likewise be configured to respond to data 832indicating another material or other therapeutic component having afirst value V1 by generating or selecting an indication 862 of anincentive having a second value V2 to be transmitted via output 885.

With reference now to FIG. 14, shown is a high-level logic flow 1400 ofan operational process. Operation 1430 describes obtaining first dataindicating a therapeutic component having a first value V1 (e.g. aninput 182, 855 or other interface 818 retrieving or otherwise obtainingdata 831 for a bioactive material 810 having a list price or otherspecified value V1). This can occur, for example, in a context in whichinterface 818 triggers a lookup operation or otherwise obtains a valueV1 for material 810 responsive to one or more categories 312 of drugs orother such bioactive material indications 310. In some contexts, forexample, interface 818 may include a computer 180 or other interactionunit 275 configured to perform operation 1430. Material value V1 may becontained, for example, on interaction unit 275 in a database or otherstorage medium 152. Alternatively or additionally, in some variants,information including value V1 may be stored at a remote site andaccessed by interaction unit 275 (on the internet or in or via any otheravailable network 240, e.g.). In some contexts, for example, material810 may include one or more medications, supplements or othernutraceuticals, or other such therapeutic materials described herein.Value V1 may be a material cost, a retail value, or another suchquantitative expression of a currency or other resource descriptive(according to a catalog, seller, or purchasing agent 262, e.g.) of thetherapeutic component (material 810, e.g.).

In some variants, an interface 818 may contain one or more modulesconfigured to perform operation 1430. Such modules may, for example,include an incentive selection module 346 or other circuitry forassociating a value V1 with a dietary supplement, ointment, or othersuch material. This can occur, for example, in a context in which aprovider 820 or other user identifies bioactive material 810 tointerface 818, which may assign a preliminary value V1 (for example, bylooking up the identifier in a price list) of the material 810.Alternatively or additionally, value V1 may be assigned by materialprovider 281, care provider 283, service provider 210, or other suchparties. In some contexts, moreover, such a value V1 may be determinedby agreement of two or more members from the set of material provider281, care provider 283, service provider 210, or other providers.Alternatively or additionally, in some variants, a value V1 may relateto combinations of therapeutic components of an individual's regimen.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for assigning a value to a bioactive material or othertherapeutic component as described herein without undue experimentation.See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,505,916 (“System and method for allocatinghome health services”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,478,061 (“Automated auditprocess”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,430,515 (“System and method forexternalization of formulas for assessing damages”); U.S. Pat. No.7,418,400 (“Internet-enabled system and method for assessing damages”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,346,522 (“Medical payment system”); U.S. Pat. No.6,879,959 (“Method of adjudicating medical claims based on scores thatdetermine medical procedure monetary values”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,404(“System and method for optimizing medical diagnosis, procedures andclaims using a structured search space”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,657(“Techniques for estimating charges of delivering healthcare servicesthat take complicating factors into account”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,241(“Method and system encoding and processing alternative healthcareprovider billing”).

Operation 1440 describes obtaining an indication of an incentive havinga second value V2>V1 and partly based on the therapeutic component andpartly based on a provider of the therapeutic component (e.g. server orother processing logic 875 receiving message 830 and using lookup tablesor equivalent logic 875 to select one or more incentives 862, 861 havingvalue V2 which exceeds a wholesale or other nominal value V1 of anutritional supplement or other material 810 to be administered to anindividual 282). This can occur, for example, in a context in which aprocessing unit 890 (in a control unit of service provider 210, e.g.)selects one or more indications of one or more incentives 862 whoseindividual or cumulative value V2 exceeds value V1. In some contexts,for example, one or more cash or cash-equivalent incentives 140 may becombined such that the aggregated value V2 exceeds a nominal value V1 ofadministered material 810. Alternatively or additionally, in somevariants, incentives 140 may consist of policy rate reductions, giftcertificates, or other such benefits 120. Also in some variants, thetherapeutic component may comprise an immunization or diagnostic testrelating to disease prevention (or other such service) performed, forexample, by a professional care provider 283.

In some variants, processing unit 890 may contain one or more modulesconfigured to perform operation 1440. Such modules may, for example,include an incentive determination unit 350 or other circuitry forselecting one or more incentives 140 based upon material value V1. Thiscan occur, for example, in a context in which processing logic 875selects one or more incentives 140 such that V2>V1, optionally such thatV2 is based on an additive, multiplicative, polynomial, or otherreadily-computed function of V1. Alternatively or additionally, one ormore incentives 140 may (optionally) be incremented or otherwisedetermined by processing logic 875 responsive to one or more identifiers311, categories 312 of materials (“preferred” or not, e.g.), dosages 437or other values 313, subject physical attributes 321, subjectpreferences 322, prices or other inputs 855 from material providers 281or service providers 283, or other such quantifiable or categoricaldeterminants 330.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for selecting a membership rate reduction, rebate, or otherincentive value generally sufficient to entice one or more individualsto perform a notification, enrollment, explanation, or compliance taskas indicated herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat.No. 7,516,883 (“Financial transaction system with consumer reward andnet settlement”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,398,248 (“System and method for usingcards for sponsored programs”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,233,913 (“System andmethod for providing shopping aids and incentives to customers through acomputer network”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,120,592 (“Method, apparatus andprocessed for real time interactive online ordering and reordering andover the counter purchasing with rebate, saving, and investingprocesses”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,072,862 (“Spending vehicles for payments”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,058,591 (“Method and apparatus for generating purchaseincentives based on price differentials”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,980,960(“System and method for providing a fuel purchase incentive”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,658,323 (“Vending machine apparatus for encouraging participationin a marketing effort”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,516 (“Process, system andcomputer readable medium for in-store printing of discount couponsand/or other purchasing incentives in various departments within aretail store”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,974 (“Method and system for managingwellness plans for a medical care practice”).

Operation 1460 describes transmitting the indication of the incentivepartly based on the therapeutic component and partly based on theprovider of the therapeutic component (e.g. output 885 transmitting oneor more indications 862 of incentives 140, 621, 622 to one or moremessage recipients 222). This can occur, for example, in a context inwhich processing logic 875 performs operation 1440 by providing one ormore such indications 862 (the second value V2, a beneficiaryidentifier, or other attributes of the incentive, e.g.) at a portion ofmemory 870 accessible to output 885. Alternatively or additionally, suchindications 862 may notify one or more material providers 281, careproviders 282, service providers 210, or other entities who accessnetwork 240 of a delivered or offered incentive. In some variants,moreover, instances of flow 1400 may be performed without determiningthese respective values V1, V2 and without any direct reference to them.

In some contexts, service provider 820 may transmit one or more messages830 containing data 831 indicating a bioactive material having a(nominal) first value. Alternatively or additionally, such messages maycontain data 832 indicating a specific respiratory or physical therapysession or other therapeutic component having a nominal value V1, suchindication(s) 861 being received via interaction unit 275 into a firstportion of memory 870. A second portion of memory 870 may receive one ormore indication(s) 862 of an incentive having a second value V2 partlybased on biometric data 436, time data 435, dosages 437, or otherattributes of the therapeutic component. As operation 1440 indicates,such an indication of an incentive may also be partly based on anidentifier of a care provider 283 or input 855 from other providers oftherapeutic components. In some contexts, such an incentive may beearmarked for a category of individuals 282 who need a painful treatmentor who otherwise may be reluctant to receive a physical therapy.Alternatively or additionally, such an incentive may be earmarked for amaterial provider 281 or care provider 283 who encourages individual 282to accept a treatment component and who would otherwise typically notprovide such encouragement. In either case, V2 may be determined (byservice provider 210 or by empirical methods, e.g.) according to theimportance of the therapeutic component, a typical reluctance of theputative incentive recipient, a physician or other expert's indicationof therapeutic importance, and other such factors irrespective of V1. Insome contexts, for example, an insured individual 282 may buy a drug fora (nominal) retail value from a material provider 281, who then receivesa larger compensation (having a value V2>V1, e.g.) from the serviceprovider 210 responsive to output 885. Alternatively or additionally,one or more such transmissions (instances of operation 1460, e.g.) maycause such individuals 282 to receive rebates, credits 117, or othertangible or intangible benefits 120 (from service provider 210, e.g.).Such incentive selection decisions can be implemented by queryingservice providers 210 or subject individuals 282 and assimilating theirinput, for example, into a table or other logic as described herein oras indicated in the art.

In some network contexts, more than one entity may perform (instancesof) any of operations 1430, 1440, 1460. Operations 1430 and 1440 may beperformed by a physician or other skilled service provider 210 whoprovides or otherwise obtains the information about the therapeuticcomponent, the provider thereof, and the indication of the incentive(s).In some contexts operation 1440 may include some computed comparison orother verification that V2>V1. A control unit 205 configured by such aperson may likewise provide a selection or other ranking among severalsuitable therapeutic components or several potential providers of the(actual or resulting) therapeutic component, for example, as additionalinstances of operations 1440 and 1430. This can occur, for example, in acontext in which control unit 205 implements one or more processingunits 890, incentive determination units 350, interfaces 818, or othersuitable logic described herein for performing “obtaining” functions.Alternatively or additionally, linkage 205, media 355, interfaces 380,or other features (of network 240, e.g.) described herein may beconfigured to perform operation 1460. In some contexts, moreover, alinking unit 390 may initially perform operations 1430 and 1440 byaggregating and transmitting provider-selected determinants 330 or otheruseful data 430 (via one or more media 355, 450) to incentivedetermination unit 350, which determines and transmits the resultingincentive indication 372 back via interface 380 and thus performs all ofoperations 1430, 1440, 1460. Moreover an interface 380 that transmitsthe indication of the incentive (from the incentive determination unit350 via port 385 or by a display to a user, e.g.) literally performsanother instance of operation 1460. In some contexts, moreover, the sameuser may perform operation 1460 yet again by invoking circuitry forrelaying or otherwise transmitting the indication (to recipient 222 vianetwork 240, e.g.).

With reference now to FIG. 9, shown is a system 900 in which one or moretechnologies may be implemented. In response to input 941 (from adispenser or other interaction unit 275 in a vicinity of a subjectindividual 282, e.g.), response unit 960 may provide output 942 to oneor more providers 920 of material 910 or other parties. Such output mayinclude one or more indications 921, 922 of an incentive to a provider925 of a therapeutic component at least partly based on a measurement986 or other objective indication that the therapeutic component hasbeen administered to a patient 985. This can occur, for example, in acontext in which the incentive to provider 925 or indication 922 dependsupon one or more (indications) of status 971, (apparent, potential, ordiagnosed) pathology 972, or other patient attributes 970 as describedherein. Alternatively or additionally, the incentive to provider 925 orindication 922 thereof may depend upon one or more categoricalattributes of a material 910 or other therapeutic component (obtained asinput 941 via one or more interfaces 380, 918 described herein).

With reference now to FIG. 15, shown is a high-level logic flow 1500 ofan operational process. Operation 1520 describes obtaining an indicationof an incentive to a provider of a therapeutic component and at leastpartly based on an objective indication that the therapeutic componenthas been administered to a portion of an individual (e.g. a computer 180or other interface 918 obtaining an indication 921 of an incentive toprovider 925 (an in-kind incentive to a care provider 283, e.g.) inresponse to an objective indication that a bioactive material has beenadministered to a patient or other individual 282 pursuant to atherapy). This can occur, for example, in a context in whichcompliance-indicative device 190 or other response unit 960 includescircuitry or other media 450 configured to compare a measurement 986 (ofa current weight of a patient or of a therapeutic-material-containingvessel via a scale, e.g.) with one or more thresholds 461, 462(indicating a recurrent presence of the patient on the device or anappropriate schedule of dispensations from thetherapeutic-material-containing vessel, e.g.). Alternatively oradditionally, such an interface may apply other such criteria to detecta presence or absence of an objective indication that a bioactivematerial has administered into or onto a patient (transmitted inresponse to an actuation or apparent manual movement of a vesselcontaining the bioactive material or similar event, e.g.). Those skilledin the art will recognize metabolite concentrations in bodily fluids ormany other measurements 986 suitable for providing the objectiveindication that the therapeutic component has been administered to aportion of the individual in light of teachings herein. In somecontexts, for example, a rise in skin temperature may signal an exposureof the portion of the individual to infrared radiation or othertherapeutic warming.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for requesting, receiving, or otherwise interacting withnumerical thresholds and related criteria as described herein withoutundue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,250,855 (“False alarmmitigation using a sensor network”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,079,035 (“Methodand apparatus for controlling an alarm while monitoring”); U.S. Pat. No.7,037,273 (“Core body temperature monitoring in heart failurepatients”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,626 (“Apparatus and method foridentifying sleep disordered breathing”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,095(“Adaptive selection of a warning limit in patient monitoring”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,552,531 (“Method and circuit for processing signals for amotion sensor”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,243 (“Rate adaptive pacemaker”).

In some variants, interface 918 may contain one or more modulesconfigured to perform operation 1520. Such modules may, for example,include cross-correlators or other data processing units that examinecombinations of measurements 986 to provide an objective indicationwhether, when, how, or where a local therapeutic component wasadministered. This can occur, for example, in a context in whichmeasurement data such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) trace may beprocessed using peak detection techniques to obtain a subject's heartrate over a period of time as evidence of performance of cardiovascularexercise or other cardiac treatment regimens. Alternatively oradditionally, measurement of a bioactive material 910 (or a metabolytethereof) in an individual 282 (or in samples acquired from theindividual) may be used to verify compliance with a prescribedtherapeutic regimen. In some contexts, moreover, long term trends insubject status information such as a rise or fall in weight may give anindication of diet or exercise compliance (in cases of obesity,anorexia, or other eating disorders, e.g.) useful as an incentivemodulation index or other determinant as described herein.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for using measurement data to determine compliance withmedicinal or other programs targeting “a portion of” an individual asdescribed herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.7,504,954 (“Radio frequency identification pharmaceutical trackingsystem and method”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,395,214 (“Apparatus, device andmethod for prescribing, administering and monitoring a treatment regimenfor a patient”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,375,640 (“System, method andimplementation for increasing a likelihood of improved hand hygiene in adesirably sanitary environment”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,369,919 (“Medicationadherence system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,295,890 (“Prescription drugcompliance monitoring system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,063 (“Bracecompliance monitor”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,399 (“Apparatus for deliveryof humidified gases therapy, associated methods and analysis tools”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,980,958 (“Apparatus and methods for monitoring andmodifying anticoagulation therapy of remotely located patients”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,973,371 (“Unit dose compliance monitoring and reportingdevice and system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,667 (“Patient compliancemonitor”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,142 (“Glucose monitoring instrumenthaving network connectivity”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,579 (“Eye self-testdevice”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,586 (“Computerized reward system forencouraging participation in a health management program”).

Operation 1570 describes including the indication of the incentive tothe provider of the therapeutic component in a message to be transmitted(e.g. a subject monitor or other response unit 255, 960 invoking asatellite communication circuit or other output 942 to transmit one ormore such indications 921 in a message 158 about the subject'stherapeutic regimen to a service or material provider 920). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which response unit 960 contains oris otherwise in communication with a compliance-indicative device 190,in which output 942 is routed through network 240, and in which responseunit 960 packages at least an incentive to provider 925 and optionallyone or more measurements 986 or other objective indicia that a bioactivematerial has been administered to a patient 985 into a message 158 to betransmitted to provider 920. In some contexts, for example, informationpertaining to temperature, absorbance or other measurement data may bepackaged with trend values or other objective indications that abioactive material has been administered in one or more messages 158 andtransmitted (via linking unit 390, e.g.).

In some variants, such response units may contain one or more modulesconfigured to perform operation 1570. Such modules may, for example,include linking unit 390 or other circuitry configured to invoke one ormore ports 385 to transmit an incentive-indicative message 158 acrossnetwork 240. This can occur, for example, in a context in whichmeasurement data 430 from blood samples taken from an individual 282show the presence of bioactive material 910 at a concentrationappropriate for the clinical protocol in which the individual 282 isenrolled. Linking unit 390 may then invoke one or more ports 385, 386 totransmit such messages across network 240, optionally containingcompliance-indicative or other useful data 430 as described herein.Alternatively or additionally, coloration, image processing results, orother processed information giving an indication of the effectiveness oftreatment for liver disease, lesions, or other pathologies may betransmitted to expert consultants or other service providers 210remotely.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for transmitting therapeutic compliance information remotelyacross a communication medium as described herein without undueexperimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,504,954 (“Radio frequencyidentification pharmaceutical tracking system and method”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,486,040 (“Circuit to momentarily increase the peak torque of a DCmotor”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,395,214 (“Apparatus, device and method forprescribing, administering and monitoring a treatment regimen for apatient”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,375,640 (“System, method and implementationfor increasing a likelihood of improved hand hygiene in a desirablysanitary environment”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,369,919 (“Medication adherencesystem”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,295,890 (“Prescription drug compliancemonitoring system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,063 (“Brace compliancemonitor”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,399 (“Apparatus for delivery ofhumidified gases therapy, associated methods and analysis tools”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,980,958 (“Apparatus and methods for monitoring and modifyinganticoagulation therapy of remotely located patients”); U.S. Pat. No.6,973,371 (“Unit dose compliance monitoring and reporting device andsystem”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,667 (“Patient compliance monitor”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,645,142 (“Glucose monitoring instrument having networkconnectivity”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,579 (“Eye self-test device”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,151,586 (“Computerized reward system for encouragingparticipation in a health management program”).

In some network contexts, more than one entity may perform operations1350 and 1380. Operation 1350 may be performed by a technician 261 orother user as described herein, such as by invoking local circuitry(implemented in a response unit 255 or otherwise in an immediatevicinity of the user) for obtaining the indication of incentive 140 toan individual 282 in response to an indication that a therapeuticmaterial was apparently effective. In a context in which the profile ofindividual 282 indicates a medication component or other data 430related to a therapy for improving or maintaining a blood pressure,temperature, material concentration, or other such measurable biometricdata 436, for example, technician 261 or incentive determination unit350 may each respond by indicating the incentive 140 contingent uponwhether the medication had the intended effect. This can occur, forexample, in a context in which applying one or more thresholds 462 tothe biometric data 436 readily indicates whether a chemotherapy,antibiotic, pain control, or other such predetermined regimen canindicate whether the regimen has been “apparently” effective accordingto a corresponding defined possible outcome set and in which an actuaryor other analyst has indicated that an expected effect of the incentive140 will be worth the corresponding expense. This can occur in a contextin which a material provider 281 or care provider 283 has made such anindication based upon a personal familiarity with the individual 282,for example. Alternatively or additionally, such a configuration canbecome useful in a context in which service provider 210 has made suchan indication based upon one or more demographic commonalities betweenthe individual 282 and earlier program participants whose compliancepatterns, therapeutic outcomes, and other relevant information werestatistically aggregated. In some variants, moreover, interface 380 mayperform operation 1380 (or one or more “transmitting” functionsdescribed herein) by transmitting the resulting incentive indication 371(to or via a storage medium 152, display medium 154, or transmissionmedium 156, e.g.).

With reference now to FIG. 10, shown is a system 1000 in which one ormore technologies may be implemented. One or more dispensing devices1010, 1020, 1030 (configured to dispense bioactive materials 1011, 1021,1031, for example) may be operatively coupled or otherwise monitored viaone or more sensors 1041 or ports 1042 of a processing unit 1040. Insome variants, processing unit 1040 includes or otherwise invokes anincentive determination module 1080 (implemented as selection logic1070, e.g.) responsive to one or more indications 1051 from oridentifiers 1052 of a dispensing device administering material on aspecific material list 1055 or indicated by a material category list1065. In some variants, such software-controlled or otherspecial-purpose circuitry can generate a message 1084 manifesting aselection of an incentive 1086 or an indication 1085 of an incentivetransmitted via a display or transmission medium 1090 or other output1095 as described herein.

With reference now to FIG. 16, shown is a high-level logic flow 1600 ofan operational process. Operation 1640 describes selecting an indicationof an incentive partly based on a category of a therapeutic material andpartly based on an indication of a dispensing device administering thetherapeutic material to an individual (e.g. incentive determinationmodule 1080 selecting at least one incentive 1086 in response tocomparing one or more identifiers 1051 of bioactive material 1021, 1031with one or more matches thereof in a material category list 1065 and inresponse to one or more dispensing devices 1010, 1020, 1030). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which a dispensing device 1020, 1030indicates a dispensation of a bioactive material 1021, 1031 and in whichincentive determination module 1080 selects a default incentive inresponse to determining that the material is not on specific materiallist 1055 or that its category is not on material category list 1065.Alternatively or additionally, processing unit 1040 may receive anidentifier of the bioactive material or an identifier of itself in acontext in which incentive determination module 1080 has access to someindication of a material or incentive corresponding thereto. In somecontexts, for example, such a determination may be triggered by one ormore sensors 1041 or ports 1042 receiving one or more indications 1051of a dispensing device administering such material. Alternatively oradditionally, material category list 1055 may comprise a table or otherrecords 1985 associating each category with a specific incentive so thatincentive determination module 1080 can specify incentives in responseto such categories or other indications. This can occur, for example, ina context in which incentive determination module 350 and port 385 eachperform an instance of operation 1640 that causes port 385 or interface380 to display or otherwise transmit the indication of the incentive 140(to providers or other individuals 282 who subscribe to a program, e.g.)pursuant to “transmitting” operations described herein.

In some variants, a linking unit 390 or other such module (in controlunit 205 or network 240, e.g.) may include one or more modulesconfigured to perform operation 1640. Such modules may, for example,comprise circuitry for computing an incentive 140 partly based on acategory 312 of a bioactive material and partly based on one or moreother determinants 330 (an indication 474 of a handheld dispenser 170 orother dispensing device 1020 administering the bioactive material 1021,e.g.). This can occur, for example, in a context in which incentivedetermination unit 350 performs operation 1640 by indicating at leastone incentive 140 and in which the individual or other beneficiary mayaccept the incentive. Alternatively or additionally, such a control unit205 may present incentive indications 371, 372 to a service provider 210for approval before triggering operation 1680. In some contexts,moreover, service provider 210 may be authorized to validate or modifyone or more incentives 140, messages 150 or other indications by whichthe incentives are presented, or protocols by which the incentives aredetermined.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for facilitating a service provider in managing automaticmessage generation as described herein without undue experimentation.See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,490,086 (“Apparatus and method for providingjob searching services recruitment services and/or recruitment-relatedservices”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,490,048 (“Apparatus and method forprocessing and/or for providing healthcare information and/orhealthcare-related information”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,430,554 (“Method andsystem for telephonically selecting, addressing, and distributingmessages”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,386,595 (“System for remote configuration ofautomatic reply message settings using an email message sent from asecond email address to a first email address allocated to a user”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,272,212 (“System and method for the creation andautomatic deployment of personalized, dynamic and interactive voiceservices”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,254,563 (“Method and arrangement forautomatically ordering supplies which are consumed during usage of adevice”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,242,308 (“Bed status information system forhospital beds”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,200,652 (“Method and system forproviding automatic notification of end of lease of computers and theirlocations”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,154 (“Automatic transmission ofvoice-to-text converted voice message”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,975,231(“Systems and methods for improving hand hygiene compliance”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,941,466 (“Method and apparatus for providing automatic e-mailfiltering based on message semantics, sender's e-mail ID, and user'sidentity”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,051 (“System for real time notificationof subscriber service changes using messaging systems”); U.S. Pat. No.6,324,393 (“Auto locating emergency rescue transmitter (ALERT)”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,240,394 (“Method and apparatus for automatically generatingadvisory information for pharmacy patients”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,104(“Computer-based patient record and message delivery system”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,064,318 (“Automated data acquisition and processing of trafficinformation in real-time system and method for same”).

Operation 1680 describes transmitting the indication of the incentiveresponsive to the circuitry for selecting the indication of theincentive partly based on the category of the therapeutic material andpartly based on the indication of the dispensing device administeringthe therapeutic material to the individual (e.g. output 1095 triggeringa message 158 of congratulations as an indication 1085 of the incentive1086 via a medium 1090 of display or wireless transmission). This canoccur, for example in a context in which one or more dispensing devices1010 mechanically support processing unit 1040, in which the messageincludes a description of a regimen 1747 associated with the dispensingdevice (vessel 1790, e.g.) and an attachment (a pleasing app, desktopimage, or eligibility 147, e.g.) as a component of the incentive, e.g.),and in which output 1095 comprises software-controlled or othercircuitry for transmitting indication 1085. See FIG. 17. In somecontexts, for example, a service provider 210 (wholesaler or importer,e.g.) may assign such attachments each to a respective category oftherapeutic materials in the provider's inventory. Alternatively oradditionally, one or more components of the incentive (eligibilities 147or terms 131 or conditions 134, e.g.) may be incrementally adjusted (byadjusting and transmitting a “current odds of winning” a prize as aquantified “indication of an incentive” or other readily-scalablecontrol variable, e.g.) as a function of a frequency or other indicationof a degree of apparent compliance with a regimen.

Each instance of operation 1690 may cause a respective transmission ofsuch indications 1085, in some implementations, optionally as asuccession of messages sent at programmatic intervals or to distinctrecipients. If a care provider 283 does not accept an incentive within agiven interval, for example, a processing unit 1040 or other responseunit 255 may conditionally respond with an incentive to materialprovider 281 or other potential beneficiary 221 of such incentive(s). Insome variants, each such instance may indicate a respective incentive1086 available to a program participant or other party as describedherein.

Alternatively or additionally, such units may likewise be configured toperform operation 1680 by invoking an interface 380 or port 386 (as anapplication-specific module or other circuitry for transmitting theindication of the incentive, e.g.). This can occur, for example, in acontext in which such content is transmitted (via one or more physical,tangible media 355 in network 240, e.g.) to a beneficiary 221 or otherparty as exemplified herein. Alternatively or additionally, such aninterface 380 may be used (in delivery unit 225 by a beneficiary 221 orother recipient 222, e.g.) to respond to the indication of theincentive, such as by manifesting a consent to be monitored or otherwisesubscribe to a program as described herein. In some variants, moreover,one or more compliance-indicative devices 190 or other interfaces 518,818, 918 may include one or more instances of a processing unit 610,890, 740, 1040 or response unit 255, 580, 960 defining incentives to oneor more parties as described above.

With reference now to FIG. 17, shown is a system 1700 in which one ormore technologies may be implemented. A bottle 1783, capsule 1784, orother vessel 1790 may include one or more plungers 1762, slidable orother covers 1761, buttons 1763, removable caps, or other actuators1770. Such administration detection features 1780 may be configuredeffectively to permit one or more primary modules 1710 to monitoradministrations (of a therapy, e.g.) within a vicinity of a vessel 1790,transdermal delivery device, iontophoretic device, patch withmicroprotrusions, or other dispenser. In some variants, for example, oneor more transmitters 1776 on such dispensers permit periodic oroccasional notifications (via a wireless or other coupling 1755 with aprimary module 1710, e.g.) of such administrations (detected via one ormore sensors 1777 of the vessel 1790, e.g.) or a remaining quantity ofmaterial (nominally or actually) available for dispensation.Alternatively or additionally, a colorant or other marking component1779 permits direct optical or auditory monitoring (of a vessel ormaterial, e.g.) within a vicinity 1750 of the dispenser or of arecipient 222 of the therapy. Such systems may likewise include orotherwise interact with a vessel 1790 or other object containing one ormore bioactive materials 685, 1021 or other therapeutic components:medications, nutraceuticals, placebos, inhalants, inoculants or othersuch materials.

In some variants, delivery unit 225 may include one or more primarymodules 1710 having one or more incentive instances of acceptancemodules 1720, recording systems 1730, user interfaces 1740, regimens1747, administration detection modules 1748, modules for conditioning anincentive upon compliance with a regimen 1749, or administrationdetection features 1780 as described herein. In some contexts, forexample, incentive acceptance module 1720 may handle one or moreinstances of signals 1726 indicative of one or more incentives 1721,1722 as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, such a modulemay handle one or more signals 1727 indicative of enrollmentcertification or signals 1728 indicative of informed consent (from aprogram participant or legal guardian, e.g.). Recording system 1730 mayinclude a camera 1732 or other sensor 1733 (capable of capturing avisual record 1736 or other data record 1735 confirming anadministration or other relevant event as described herein, e.g.). Anauditory sensor 1734 may likewise capture an audio record 1737 or otherdata record 1735 confirming a notification, enrollment, acceptance,transfer, or other relevant event as described herein.

With reference now to FIG. 18, shown is a system 1800 in which one ormore technologies may be implemented. In some variants, a response unitor processing unit as described above may include one or moreimplementations (software, hardware, or other operable representations,e.g.) of configuration logic 1860, negotiation protocols 1870 (forhandling offers 1868 or other incentives 140, e.g.), or communicationlogic 1880 as described herein. Configuration logic 1860 may include,for example, one or more instances of modules for authorizing a benefitto a material provide 1851, modules for authorizing a benefit to a careprovider 1852, modules for implementing a conditional benefit 1853, orother modules for authorizing a benefit to an individual 1854 such ascircuitry or device-executable instructions as described herein. Suchmodules may, for example, comprise circuitry for conditioning thebenefit upon obtaining data 1885 indicative of an acceptance 1886 of anincentive or compliance with a regimen pursuant to one or morenegotiation protocols 1870.

In some variants, for example, incentive determination module 350 mayinclude or otherwise communicate with a module for authorizing a benefitto a material provider 1851 such as circuitry for manifesting animprovement in a reputation of material provider 281. This may beimplemented, for example, by adjusting a personal, organizational, orother aggregate performance rating 138. This can occur, for example, ina context in which configuration logic 1860 resides in interaction unit275 or other subsystems adjoining network 240, in which service provider210 maintains such ratings on many such providers or other messagerecipients 222, in which the cumulative effect of such adjustmentspermit such recipients 222 to gain or retain an eligibility 146, and inwhich such eligibilities are valued by at least some such recipients222. Alternatively or additionally, such a module for authorizing abenefit to a material provider 1852 may include or otherwise operate inconjunction with a module for implementing a conditional benefit 1853(to the material provider or to another party identified herein, e.g.).As described further below, moreover, such a module may likewise beconfigured to transmit other incentive-indicative data, such as byincluding one or more of (a) circuitry for directly transferring one ormore resources 119 to a provider, (b) other circuitry for authorizing abenefit to a material provider, or (c) circuitry for implementing aconditional or other benefit to another party.

In some variants, incentive determination module 350 may likewise(optionally) include or otherwise communicate with a module forauthorizing a benefit to a care provider 1852 such as circuitry fortransferring one or more credits 117 to a care provider 283 in responseto one or more indications 472, 473 that a bioactive material 1021, 1031was administered to a specific patient (to a portion of individual 282,e.g.). In some variants, for example, such credits may be an appropriatemethod for tracking and rewarding institutional care providers forencouraging the patient to take a nutraceutical or other regimencomponent. This can occur, for example, in a context in whichconfiguration logic 1860 resides in interaction unit 275 or othersubsystems adjoining network 240, in which individual 282 is unable orreluctant to follow a regimen with sufficient discipline, and in whichone or more professional care providers 283 are routinely in a vicinityof individual 282. Alternatively or additionally, such a module mayinclude or otherwise operate in conjunction with a module for routinginformation to a care provider 1882 as described below, such ascircuitry for transmitting a message 158 to the care provider. In somevariants, for example, such a message may be configured either toprovide notice of a benefit in advance or to provide a care providerwith other data about the benefit (such as one or more terms 131 orconditions 134 of the authorization, e.g.). As described further below,moreover, such a module may transmit incentive-indicative data, such asby including one or more of (a) circuitry for transferring one or morecredits to a care provider in response to an indication that thebioactive material was administered, (b) other circuitry for authorizinga conditional or other benefit to a care provider, or (c) circuitry forproviding a benefit to another party.

In some variants, incentive determination module 350 may include orotherwise communicate with a module for implementing a conditionalbenefit 1853 such as circuitry for conditioning a benefit upon anacceptance of an incentive. In some variants, such a module will notactualize a benefit until a beneficiary 221 or other authorized partytransmits an acceptance 1886 (via a delivery unit 225 or other interface380, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, such a module may invoke anegotiation protocol 1870 in which an offer 1868 indicates a policypremium discount or other specific benefit 120 that will take effectafter an offer 1868 is accepted. In some contexts, moreover, such aresponse may be conditioned upon a compliance monitoring programenrollment certification or other such condition-indicative signals 1726as described herein. As described further below, moreover, such a modulemay transmit incentive-indicative data, such as by including one or moreinstances of (a) circuitry for conditioning a benefit upon an acceptanceof an incentive or (b) circuitry for implementing another conditionalbenefit as (being) a component of the incentive 140.

In some contexts, incentive determination module 350 may include orotherwise communicate with a module for authorizing a benefit to anindividual 1854 such as circuitry for assigning one or more incrementsof time 111 or other such resources 119 between accounts 489 (fromservice provider 210 to individual 282, e.g.). In some variants, suchconfiguration logic 1860 may likewise trigger a benefit to anotherbeneficiary 221, such as a party who referred the individual to serviceprovider 210. This can occur, for example, in a context in which serviceprovider 210 might not otherwise be able to find or enroll a desirednumber of qualified participants, in which the service provider 210accordingly offered the other beneficiary 221 a referral reward havingat least one condition 134 (conditional upon the individual 282enrolling or complying, e.g.), and in which the condition was at leastsometimes met. As described further below, moreover, such a module mayinclude or otherwise operate in conjunction with a module fortransmitting incentive-indicative data comprising one or more of (a)circuitry for transferring one or more resources into an account of areferring individual, (b) other circuitry for authorizing a benefit to areferred individual, (c) or circuitry for implementing a benefit toanother party facilitating such enrollment.

Communication logic 1880 may likewise (optionally) include one or moreinstances of modules for routing information to a material provider1881, modules for routing information to a care provider 1882, modulesfor routing information to an individual 1883 (patient, subject, orparticipant, e.g.), modules for routing information to another party1884 (depicted in FIG. 2, e.g.), modules for signaling an availabilityof an option 1891, modules for signaling a discount 1892, modules forsignaling a resource transfer 1893, or modules for signaling anothersuch incentive 1894. Such components of configuration logic 1880 may(optionally) be configured to invoke or be invoked by configurationlogic 1860 or hardware-implemented negotiation protocols 1870, forexample, or other modules described herein.

In some variants, incentive determination module 350 may include orotherwise communicate with a module for routing information to amaterial provider 1881 such as circuitry for routing a message 830 toprovider 820 containing one or more indications 862 (relating one ormore incentives 140 to a regimen, bioactive material 1011, dispensingdevice 1010, or bioactive material category 484, e.g.). In somevariants, such a module may further implement one or more negotiationprotocols 1870 by which such a provider may fulfill a condition 135 (fora unilateral offer, e.g.) or convey a binding acceptance 1886 (vianetwork 240 to a service provider 210 or agent 262, e.g.). Alternativelyor additionally, such a module may further facilitate such negotiationsby conveying a material provider's preferences, policies, or other suchdata 1885 (so that service provider 210 may rapidly identify materialproviders willing to participate in such a program, e.g.). As describedfurther below, moreover, a module for obtaining or transmitting anindication of an incentive to an individual may include or otherwiseoperate in conjunction with one or more of (a) circuitry for routing amessage relating a physical product to the incentive to a materialprovider, (b) circuitry for routing a message relating the incentive toa bioactive material component, or (c) other circuitry for routing theindication of the incentive (to a material provider, e.g.).

In some variants, incentive determination module 350 may include orotherwise communicate with a module for routing information to a careprovider 1882 such as circuitry for routing an offer 1868 that includesat least an indication of one or more benefits 120 that would accrue atleast partly to care provider 283. A component of such incentives 140may likewise accrue to another care provider or a care recipient, insome variants, optionally by invoking one or more negotiation protocols1870 by which one or more indications of the incentive are disseminatedto another party indirectly (effectively notifying beneficiary 221 viamessage recipient 222, e.g.). In some variants, such a module mayindicate a first incentive component available to a first individual (toa patient for enrolling in a program, e.g.) and a second incentivecomponent available to a second individual (to a care or materialprovider who suggests or explains the program to the patient, e.g.). Insome contexts, moreover, such a composite incentive (of several suchcomponent incentives, e.g.) may have an aggregate value that exceeds alist price (or other nominal value) of the bioactive material to be usedfor the program. As described further below, moreover, a module forobtaining or transmitting an indication of an incentive to an individualmay include or otherwise operate in conjunction with one or more of (a)circuitry for offering the incentive to a care provider, (b) circuitryfor routing an offer that includes at least the indication of theincentive to a care provider, (c) circuitry for routing the indicationof the incentive indirectly to a putative beneficiary of the incentive,(d) circuitry for routing the indication of the incentive to a materialprovider and to another party, (e) circuitry for routing the indicationof the incentive to a care provider and to another party, (f) circuitryfor notifying a first party of a first component incentive of theincentive and for notifying a second party of a second componentincentive, (g) circuitry for routing the indication of the incentiveindirectly to a patient via a care provider, (h) circuitry for routingthe indication of the incentive indirectly to a recipient of thebioactive material via a provider of the bioactive material, (i) othercircuitry for routing a message containing the indication of theincentive to a care provider, or (j) other circuitry for routing amessage containing the indication of the incentive to a materialprovider.

In some variants, incentive determination module 350 may include orotherwise communicate with a module for routing information to anindividual 1883 such as circuitry for identifying anutraceutical-containing component 433 or other payment in kind 118offered as a reward to an individual 282 for adopting a regimen thatincludes a smart dispenser 170 or other specific pharmaceutical product.In some variants, such a module may notify the individual 282 of a firstbenefit 120 responsive to the individual's acceptance 1886, for example,and notify the individual 282 of a second benefit 120 responsive to data1885 (from a sample tester 160 or other compliance-indicative device190, e.g.) objectively indicative of compliance with the regimen.Alternatively or additionally, one or more such benefits ornotifications may be routed to another party (beneficiary 221 or messagerecipient 222, e.g.) as described below. As described further below,moreover, a module for obtaining or transmitting an indication of anincentive to an individual may include or otherwise operate inconjunction with one or more of (a) circuitry for routing the indicationof the incentive to the individual, (b) circuitry for indicating areward to an individual for adopting a regimen, (c) circuitry forindicating a reward to an individual for compliance with a regimen inresponse to data objectively indicative of compliance with the regimen,(d) circuitry for indicating a reward to an individual in response todata objectively indicative of the bioactive material having beenadministered to the individual, (e) circuitry for indicating a firstbenefit responsive to an acceptance of a regimen and a second benefitresponsive to data objectively indicative of compliance with theregimen, or (f) other circuitry for indicating a first benefitresponsive to an acceptance of a product and a second benefit responsiveto data objectively indicative of use of the product.

In some variants, incentive determination module 350 may include orotherwise invoke a module for routing information to another party 1884such as circuitry for notifying agent 262 of one or more offers 1868sent (or to be sent) to other parties. In some variants, such a modulemay trigger negotiation protocol 1870 to transmit two or more respectiveoffers 1868 such as (a) to an individual 282 for a discount (of aninsurance premium or deductible, e.g.) in exchange for enrolling in aprogram that penalizes noncompliance and (b) to a material provider 281for a monetary or other resource transfer in response to an acceptance1886 from one or more such individuals (of an offer to enroll in such aprogram, e.g.). This can occur, for example, in a context in which suchoffers 1868 are transmitted in sequence; in which only one such party iseligible for such an incentive at any one time; in which at least onesuch offer indicates one or more conditions 134 as described herein, andin which such non-overlapping offers may indicate an incentive (for asingle beneficiary, e.g.) larger than would be feasible for adistributed incentive. Alternatively or additionally, such a module maybe configured to respond to or otherwise operate in conjunction with oneor more other modules of configuration logic 1860 or communication logic1880 as shown in FIG. 18. As described further below, moreover, a modulefor obtaining or transmitting an indication of an incentive to anindividual may include or otherwise operate in conjunction with one ormore of (a) circuitry for routing an offer to another party including atleast the indication of the incentive, (b) circuitry for notifying afirst party of a first offer indicating a first component of theincentive and for notifying a second party of a second offer indicatinga second component of the incentive, or (c) other circuitry fornotifying another party of one or more conditions 135 of the incentive140.

In some variants, incentive determination module 350 may include orotherwise communicate with a module for signaling an availability of anoption 1891 (such as circuitry for selecting an option as the incentiveto an individual, e.g.) or a module for signaling an other incentive1894 (such as a module for signaling a discount 1892, e.g.). In somecontexts, for example, such a module may have selected the option as afunction of one or more expressed or implied preferences 322 (lowestcost, earliest availability, smallest size, greatest safety, e.g.) of apatient or other interested party. Alternatively or additionally, such amodule may invoke or respond to other configuration logic 1860 orcommunication logic 1880 as described herein, for example, withreference to FIG. 18. As described further below, moreover, a module forobtaining or transmitting an indication of an incentive to an individualmay include or otherwise operate in conjunction with one or more of (a)circuitry for selecting an option as the incentive to the individual,(b) circuitry for signaling an availability of an option as theincentive to the individual, (c) circuitry for notifying a care providerabout option as a component of the incentive to the individual, (d)circuitry for generating the incentive partly based on a physicalattribute of the individual or (e) circuitry for generating theincentive partly based on an indication of a bioactive materialavailable to the individual.

With reference now to FIG. 19, shown is a context in which one or moretechnologies may be implemented. In some variants the above-describedcircuitry or other media may include or otherwise interact (via network240, e.g.) with one or more monitoring units 1990 configured to receiveinput 1981 or transmit output 1982 as described below. Monitoring unit1990 may include one or more media 1992 configured to store data, forexample, or to display it to one or more of parties depicted in FIG. 2.

In some variants, vessel 1790 may communicate with a module forreceiving dispensing device output data 1993, for example, such ascircuitry for detecting when input 1981 from one or more sensors 1777indicate that a vessel 1790 configured for the bioactive material wasmoved or used. In some variants, such a module may trigger (a) aprotocol for inferring that an individual complied with a regimen or (b)a protocol for inferring that an individual did not comply with aregimen. This can occur, for example, in a context in which such sensordata effectively indicates whether and when vessel 1790 administers thebioactive material, in which monitoring unit 1990 facilitates operation1640 by transmitting such inferences (as output 1982, e.g.), in whichsuch determinants are used (by incentive determination unit 350, e.g.)in deciding whether the individual or another party receives anincentive, and in which such objective determinants would otherwise notbe practical. Alternatively or additionally, such a monitoring unit 1990may communicate wirelessly with portable circuitry (implementing anadministration detection feature 1780 on a dispenser 170 or other vessel1790, e.g.) containing one or more records 1985 indicating pastactuations or other movements. In some contexts, moreover, monitoringunit 1990 may be configured to monitor one or more individuals 282,vessels 1790, or other entities of interest by capturing optical orauditory data relevant to regimen compliance as input 1981.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for detecting when an object was moved or actuated as describedherein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,489,458(“Piezoelectricity-driving optical lens module”); U.S. Pat. No.7,489,143 (“Nanogripper device and method for detecting that a sample isgripped by nanogripper device”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,483,253 (“Systems andmethods for detecting solenoid armature movement”); U.S. Pat. No.7,477,147 (“System and method for actuating a remote control accesssystem”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,477,051 (“Position sensor and position sensingmethod”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,469,679 (“Method for detecting and controllingmovement of an actuated component”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,467,842 (“Ink jetnozzle assembly with over-actuation detection”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,453,982(“System and method to acquire radiological images of an imagedsubject”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,648 (“Internal sensor with disturbingcurrent reduced by compensation branches”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,448,249(“Clutch actuation control system with adjustable position encoderassembly”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,534 (“Fluid delivery deviceidentification and loading system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,145(“Medication dispenser”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,393 (“Prosthetic,orthotic, and other rehabilitative robotic assistive devices actuated bysmart materials”). In various implementations as described herein, forexample, such logic may include one or more instances of (a) circuitryfor detecting whether data from one or more sensors indicate a movementof a dispensing device, (b) circuitry for detecting whether data fromone or more sensors indicate an actuation of a portion of a dispensingdevice, (c) a physical medium 1992 bearing sensor data indicatingwhether a specific or other portion of the dispensing device has moved.

In some variants, incentive determination unit 350 may include orotherwise interact with a module for detecting a property of a samplefrom an individual 1994 such as circuitry for detecting whether a fluoror other marking component 1779 is distributed uniformly along a lengthof hair from the individual. In some contexts, such a “detection” mayinclude capturing an image 1984 (stored or displayed on medium 1992,e.g.) of the sample in which the marking component is readily orautomatically detectable. This can occur, for example, in a context inwhich each of several capsules 1784 contain marking component 1779 and abioactive material administered to the individual (over a course of daysor months, e.g.), in which monitoring unit 1990 and incentivedetermination unit 350 perform operation 1640 jointly, in which thesample contains the fluor (or a relevant analyte to which the fluor maybond, e.g.), and in which monitoring unit 1990 includes or interactswith a fluorescence microscope (operated by technician 261, e.g.).Alternatively or additionally, such data may be distilled (by technician261, e.g.) so that the “detection” comprises computing a percentage ofapparently successful administrations or other such objective measuresof compliance relating to a specific time interval of interest.

In some variants, another module for detecting a property of a samplefrom the individual 1994 may comprise circuitry for detecting aconcentration, color, viscosity, density, or other intrinsic property ofa bodily fluid or other sample from the individual. This can occur, forexample, in a context in which technician 261 places blood or mucousfrom the sample into sample tester 160 and in which technician 261enters an observation or other result into a computer 180 configured toreceive data about an analyte of interest to be used for determining aneligibility or other incentive. Such analytes may indicate a healthstatus of or an apparent regimen compliance of the individual, forexample, or an unusual genetic or pathological property of specialinterest to a researcher. Alternatively or additionally, some suchmodules may detect one or more non-physical properties of the samplesuch as a time of extraction, place of extraction, or handling protocol(as indicated on a label of a vessel containing the sample, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for measuring health-indicative or other relevant physicalproperties from a sample extracted from an individual as describedherein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/343,944 (“Establishing a Biological Recording Timeline byArtificial Marking”) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,966(“Using a Biological Recording to Obtain Time Values”). See also U.S.Pat. No. 7,485,472 (“Simple method for quantitative measuring theadhesion of platelets ex vivo”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,480,032 (“Device andmethod for in vitro determination of analyte concentrations within bodyfluids”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,473,534 (“Assays for cancer patient monitoringbased on levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) extracellulardomain (ECD) analyte, alone or in combination with other analytes, inbody fluid samples”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,470,508 (“Method of screening formelanoma by detecting an increase in cyclin D1”); U.S. Pat. No.7,459,286 (“Assessing the risk of a major adverse cardiac event inpatients with chest pain”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,435,225 (“Method andarrangement for measuring breath gases of a patient”); U.S. Pat. No.7,407,762 (“Diagnosis of gynecological neoplasms by detecting the levelsof oviduct-specific glycoprotein”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,395,103 (“Surfaceplasmon resonance based nanoliter tear osmometer”); U.S. Pat. No.7,361,306 (“Device and method for measuring coagulation time andplatelet activity”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,166 (“System and method for theextraction and monitoring of a biological fluid”); U.S. Pat. No.7,271,896 (“Detection of biomolecules using porous biosensors and ramanspectroscopy”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,365 (“Serum biomarkers of HepatitisB Virus infected liver and methods for detection thereof”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,252,959 (“Assays for diagnosis of thrombophilic disease”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,211,397 (“Method of analyzing non-complexed forms of prostatespecific antigen in a sample to improve prostate cancer detection”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,179,612 (“Method for detecting a lipoprotein-acute phaseprotein complex and predicting an increased risk of system failure ormortality”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,877 (“Methods and devices for obtainingand assaying mammary fluid samples for evaluating breast diseases,including cancer”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,681 (“Methods for detection ofdisease-associated antibodies in urine”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,122,322(“Endometriosis-specific secretory protein”).

In various implementations as described herein, for example, such logicmay include one or more instances of (a) circuitry for receiving anindication from a test of a bodily fluid of an individual after adispensing device administers a bioactive material to the individual,(b) circuitry for detecting an intrinsic or other property of a samplefrom the individual, or (c) circuitry for detecting a concentration of ametabolite (of a bioactive material in a sample, e.g.) from theindividual.

In some variants, incentive determination module 1080 may interact(within or via network 240, e.g.) with a module for obtaining a currentphysical attribute of the individual 1995 such as circuitry fordetecting a health status change apparently resulting from a vessel 1790or other dispensing device administering the bioactive material to theindividual 282. In some variants, such a module may record ameasurement, computed result, image, or other useful diagnosticattribute as the current physical attribute. This can occur, forexample, in a context in which incentive determination module 1080performs operation 1640 using output 1982 from monitoring unit 1990, inwhich the current physical attribute of the individual comprises acurrent measurement 454 (of a local dilation or blood pressure, e.g.) ora result of comparing the current measurement 454 with a priormeasurement 453 or other threshold 461 suitable for detecting a trendtoward normalcy, and in which such administrations may avoid ahospitalization. Alternatively or additionally, such circuitry mayrecord new or worsening symptoms, in some contexts, or other relevantindications 471 (on medium 1992, e.g.) of a changing pathological state.In some variants, moreover, such circuitry may likewise be configured tonotify the individual 282 or a care provider 283 of the new or worseningsymptom.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for measuring or otherwise documenting an onset, an abatement,or other such events reflecting symptoms of hypertension, diabetes, ormany other such (generally treatable) pathologies. See, e.g., U.S. Pat.No. 7,468,040 (“Methods and systems for implantably monitoring externalbreathing therapy”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,465,273 (“Method for monitoringpre-eclamptic patients”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,404,796 (“System fordetermining insulin dose using carbohydrate to insulin ratio and insulinsensitivity factor”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,400,257 (“Vital signals andglucose monitoring personal wireless system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,397,380(“Device and method for monitoring state of thermal comfort of a baby atsleep or a partially disabled patient”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,395,216 (“Usingpredictive models to continuously update a treatment plan for a patientin a health care location”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,379,885 (“System and methodfor obtaining, processing and evaluating patient information fordiagnosing disease and selecting treatment”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,356,364(“Device for optical monitoring of constituent in tissue or body fluidsample using wavelength modulation spectroscopy, such as for bloodglucose levels”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,340,296 (“Detection of pleuraleffusion using transthoracic impedance”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,297,108(“Disease management system and method including analysis of diseasespecific changes”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,237 (“Implantable biosensor andmethods for monitoring cardiac health”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,177,686 (“Usingphoto-plethysmography to monitor autonomic tone and performing pacingoptimization based on monitored autonomic tone”); U.S. Pat. No.7,035,684 (“Method and apparatus for monitoring heart function in asubcutaneously implanted device”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,980 (“Automateddiagnostic system and method including disease timeline”); U.S. Pat. No.6,770,029 (“Disease management system and method including correlationassessment”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,383,135 (“System and method for providingself-screening of patient symptoms”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,964 (“Diseasemanagement system and method”).

In various implementations as described herein, for example, such logicmay include one or more instances of (a) circuitry for obtaining acurrent physical attribute of the individual, (b) circuitry forrecording a diagnostic attribute as a current physical attribute of theindividual, (c) circuitry for transmitting a notification of a healthstatus change to the individual, (d) circuitry for transmitting anotification of the health status change to a care provider, (e)circuitry for detecting a health status change apparently resulting fromthe dispensing device administering the bioactive material to theindividual, or (f) circuitry for comparing a current measurement of aphysical attribute of the individual with a threshold suitable fordetecting a trend toward normalcy (indicative of recovery or treatmentefficacy, e.g.).

In some variants, a sample tester 160, computer 180, or othercompliance-indicative device 190 may include a module for determiningwhether quantitative data indicates regimen compliance 1997, forexample, such as circuitry for comparing one or more scalar indications462, 463 of failure (rates, e.g.) each against a respective threshold472, 473 (a minimum or maximum, e.g.). In some variants, such a modulemay apply a first threshold 472 or other criterion to determine a firstaspect of compliance (indicative of a statin-containing component 432 orother material component 434, e.g.) and a second threshold 465 or othercriterion to determine a second aspect of compliance (relating to timedata 435 or proper dosages 437, e.g.). Such thresholds may pertain tomeasurements or other biometric data 436 manifesting a symptom or itsabsence, for example. Alternatively or additionally, some suchthresholds may relate to time data 435 (manifesting how close eachadministration of the bioactive material was to an ideal time, e.g.) orto other such data 430 expressing quantitative aspects of a regimen orhealth status. This can occur, for example, in a context in whichcompliance-indicative device 190 includes at least a monitoring unit1990 that generates records 1985 (each few hours or days, e.g.)indicating a degree of compliance. Alternatively or additionally, such amonitoring unit 1990 may trigger a presentation of one or moreincentives 140 to the individual 282 under various conditions asdescribed herein.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for applying various provider-specified criteria (relating tocounts or dosages provided by a physician or other service provider,e.g.) to device-detectable health-indicative data (for determiningsuccess, eligibility, or some other threshold event, e.g.) as describedherein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,488,291(“Methods for detecting and monitoring sleep disordered breathing usingan implantable medical device”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,487,774 (“Adaptivepatient trigger threshold detection”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,465,551 (“Methodof determining cytokine dosage for improving myelosuppressive state”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,366,571 (“Neurostimulator with activation based onchanges in body temperature”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,246,619 (“Snore detectingmethod and apparatus”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,246 (“Diagnosis of thepresence of cochlear hydrops using observed auditory brainstemresponses”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,177,684 (“Activity monitor and six-minutewalk test for depression and CHF patients”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,132,238(“Method of determining a chemotherapeutic regimen based on ERCC1expression”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,107,095 (“Device for and method of rapidnoninvasive measurement of parameters of diastolic function of leftventricle and automated evaluation of the measured profile of leftventricular function at rest and with exercise”); U.S. Pat. No.7,054,688 (“Heart stimulator with evoked response detector and anarrangement for determining the stimulation threshold”); U.S. Pat. No.7,047,083 (“Method and apparatus for identifying lead-related conditionsusing lead impedance measurements”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,498(“Administration of CPAP treatment pressure in presence of apnea”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,978,177 (“Method and apparatus for using atrialdiscrimination algorithms to determine optimal pacing therapy andtherapy timing”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,548 (“Implantable stimulationdevice and method for discrimination atrial and ventriculararrhythmias”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,048 (“Implantable active medicaldevice enslaved to at least one physiological parameter”).

In various implementations as described herein, for example, such logicmay include one or more instances of (a) circuitry for determiningwhether quantitative data indicates regimen compliance, (b) circuitryfor comparing a scalar indication of failure against a threshold, (c)circuitry for comparing a computed rate against an allowable maximum,(d) a display medium presenting a component of a regimen of anindividual, or (e) a display medium 154 presenting a Boolean expression1983 of apparent compliance or of apparent noncompliance.

In some variants, monitoring unit 1990 may distill data from a modulefor receiving a Boolean result from a compliance detection device 1998,for example, such as circuitry for recognizing an indication 476 of pastor current noncompliance from compliance-indicative device 190. This canoccur, for example, in a context in which monitoring unit 1990 andincentive determination unit 350 jointly perform operation 1640, inwhich monitoring unit 1990 periodically requests such data fromcompliance detection device 1998 and reports the result, and in whichincentive determination unit 350 receives the result as one of theindividual's physical attributes 321. In one protocol, incentivedetermination unit 350 responds to a patient's first (apparent) failureto comply by using a larger-than-nominal incentive or a differentmessage recipient, as compared with a prior incentive (a “nominal”incentive, e.g.). Incentive determination unit 350 may later respond tothe patient's second apparent failure to comply by using anotherbeneficiary 221 or message recipient 222, optionally with a smallerincentive (compared to a nominal or other prior incentive).Alternatively or additionally, such a monitoring unit 1990 may take noaction until several (N) consecutive indications of apparentnoncompliance are received, where N is an integer (selected by serviceprovider 210, e.g.). In some variants, moreover, such a protocol maytrigger a personal communication with the individual before proceedingto such an incentive modification (by generating an e-mail message orother request 488 that a human agent 262 contact individual 282, forexample, by telephone or e-mail). In various implementations asdescribed herein, for example, such logic may include one or moreinstances of (a) circuitry for recognizing an indication of apparentnoncompliance from a compliance-indicative device, (b) circuitry fortriggering a direct communication with the individual via an interactionunit 275 in response to a negative indication of compliance, or (c) astorage medium containing at least a Boolean expression 1983 indicativeof input 1981 from an administration detection module 1748.

In some variants, control unit 205 may include or otherwise communicatewith a module for detecting a health-status attribute apparentlyresulting from the bioactive material 1999, for example, such ascircuitry for detecting a lower-than-previous arterial blood pressuremeasurement within a given time interval of a dispensation of anantihypertensive material. In some variants, such a module may detectmeasurement changes selectively, such as by ignoring those of less than1% (or 3% or 10%, e.g.). This can occur, for example, in a context inwhich monitoring unit 1990 performs operation 1640 and triggersoperation 1690 by invoking delivery unit 225 via linkage 226.Alternatively or additionally, such a monitoring unit 1990 may likewisedetect such a (physical) health-status attribute or change for mostbioactive materials having a predictable effect upon a measurableattribute of an individual to whom they are administered. See, e.g.,Physicians' Desk Reference 2009 (PDR, 63rd Edition). In some variants,for example, such a module may detect a given physiological changewithin a time interval T (of a few minutes, hours, or days relative to aregimen inception, e.g.) of a transmucosal, transdermal, or otheradministration of the bioactive material, wherein T is a thresholdspecified by a technician 261, material provider 281, physician, orother appropriate entity. In some contexts, moreover, such a module maybe configured to monitor sensor data for indicia of allergic or otherside effects of the bioactive material.

As one example, such a module may be implemented for detecting whetheror when a statin-containing product has apparently caused a desiredeffect, such as determining whether a decrease in an individual's LDLcholesterol level has exceeded 1 mg/dL (relative to an initial value)within a physician-specified time interval (of a few days or more of aregimen inception, e.g.). In a context in which data 430 indicates arecently prescribed or adopted regimen having a statin-containingmaterial component 432 or other material component 434 tailored towardsuch improvement, for example, such a measurable change may objectivelyindicate either (a) significant compliance with the regimen or (b) atleast some use of the plasma lipid-modifying material.

As another example, such a module may be implemented for detectingwhether or when an appetite suppressant or weight loss regimen hasapparently caused a given effect, such as determining whether anindividual's average weight loss rate has exceeded a given thresholdover a prescribed time interval. In a context in which data 430indicates a recently prescribed or adopted regimen having anutraceutical-containing component 433 tailored toward such improvement,for example, such a measurement may objectively indicate either (a)significant compliance with the regimen or (b) at least some use of theappetite suppressant or other bioactive material of the regimen.

As another example, such a module may be implemented for detectingwhether or when a calcium supplement or other calcium-rich dietarycomponent has apparently caused a desired effect, such as determiningwhether an increase in an individual's Z-score or T-score has exceeded0.1 (relative to an initial value) within a given time interval (of upto several months, e.g.). In a context in which data 430 indicates arecently prescribed or adopted regimen having a nutraceutical-containingcomponent 433 tailored toward such improvement, for example, such ameasurement may objectively indicate either (a) significant compliancewith the regimen or (b) at least some use of the calcium supplement orother bioactive material.

As another example, such a module may be implemented for detectingwhether or when a decongestant has apparently caused a desired effect,such as determining whether an auditory indication of congestion(wheezing, sniffling, or nose-blowing, e.g.) or other measure ofrespiratory health has improved by more than a threshold (of 1% or 5%,for example, relative to an initial value) within a nominal therapeutictime interval (of up to a few weeks, e.g.). In a context in which data430 indicates a recently prescribed or adopted regimen having anutraceutical-containing component 433 or other material component 434tailored toward such improvement, for example, such a measurement mayobjectively indicate either (a) significant compliance with the regimenor (b) at least some use of the bioactive material in the regimen.

As another example, such a module may be implemented for detectingwhether or when a hormone regimen has apparently caused a given effect,such as determining whether an increase in an individual's concentrationof a hormone has exceeded 1% (relative to an initial value) within aphysician-specified time interval (of a few hours, days, or weeks,e.g.). In a context in which data 430 indicates a recently prescribed oradopted regimen having an “other material component” 434 tailored towardsuch improvement, for example, such a measurable change may objectivelyindicate either (a) significant compliance with the regimen or (b) atleast some use of the hormone or other bioactive material.

As another example, such a module may be implemented for detectingwhether or when a psychoactive material has apparently caused a giveneffect, such as determining whether an individual manifests anytoo-numerous or too-large (measurable) indications of agitation within anominal therapeutic time interval (of up to a few hours afteradministration, e.g.). In a context in which data 430 indicates arecently prescribed or adopted regimen having a nutraceutical-containingcomponent 433 or other material component 434 tailored toward suchimprovement, for example, such a measurement may objectively indicateeither (a) significant compliance with the regimen or (b) at least someuse of the material.

In light of teachings herein, many other existing techniques may beapplied for implementing a measurement or other determination indicativeof whether a bioactive material or other therapy is apparently havingany effect. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,185,650 (“Systems and methods fordetermining a minimum effective dose of an inhaled drug for anindividual patient at a given time”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,138,240 (“Methodsof assaying receptor activity”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,003,346 (“Method forillness and disease determination and management”); U.S. Pat. No.6,942,619 (“Ultrasound radiation device”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,192.(“Measurement of sleep apnea duration and evaluation of responsetherapies using duration metrics”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,959 (“Catheterwith physiological sensor”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,573 (“Method andapparatus for monitoring anti-platelet agents”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,607(“Method and system for use in treating a patient with a biologicalsubstance to optimize therapy and prevent an adverse response”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,581,606 (“Method, apparatus and system for use in treatingpatient with a drug having an antineoplastic effect to optimize therapyand prevent an adverse drug response”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,169 (“Methodand apparatus for use in treating a patient with any drug to optimizetherapy and prevent an adverse drug”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,239 (“Methodof evaluating the efficacy of drug on brain nerve cells”); U.S. Pat. No.6,329,153 (“Method for evaluating immunosuppressive regimens”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,007,986 (“Methods for anti-addictive narcotic analgesicactivity screening”).

In various implementations as described herein, for example, such logicmay include one or more instances of (a) circuitry for detecting ahealth-status attribute apparently resulting from a bioactive material,(b) circuitry for detecting an arterial blood pressure reduction of atleast X, where X is a threshold of at least 1%, (c) circuitry fordetecting a given physiological change within a time interval T of atransmucosal administration of a bioactive material, wherein T is athreshold of at least a few minutes, (d) circuitry for detecting a givenphysiological change within a time interval T of a transdermaladministration of the bioactive material, wherein T is a threshold of atmost a few months, (e) circuitry for detecting a given physiologicalchange within a time interval T of an ingestion of a bioactive material,wherein T is a threshold of at least an hour, (f) circuitry fordetecting a given physiological change within a time interval T of aningestion of the bioactive material, wherein T is a threshold of at mosta few weeks, (g) circuitry for detecting a given physiological changewithin a time interval T of first administration of a bioactive materialto a portion of the individual, wherein T is a threshold of at least afew minutes, (h) circuitry for detecting a given physiological changewithin a time interval T of an injection of a bioactive material,wherein T is a threshold of at least a few seconds, (i) circuitry fordetecting a physiological measurement change larger than X within a timeinterval T of an administration of the bioactive material, wherein T isa threshold of at most a few days and X is a threshold of at most 20%,or (j) circuitry for detecting a physiological measurement change largerthan X within a time interval T of an administration of the bioactivematerial, wherein T is a threshold of at least a few seconds and X is athreshold of at least 1% of a previous measurement.

In some variants, a component of monitoring unit 1990 may likewiseinclude or otherwise interact with configuration logic 1860 orcommunication logic 1880 as described above. A module for determiningwhether quantitative data indicates regimen compliance 1997, forexample, may invoke or otherwise operate in conjunction with a modulefor signaling an availability of an option 1891. This can occur, forexample, in a context in which configuration logic 1860 performsoperation 1640, in which recent data from sample tester 160 contains oneor more objective indicia of regimen compliance, and in which incentiveselection logic 344, 1070 accordingly responds by offering one or moreparties an option to receive a number of credits 117 or other resources119 as a reward for the compliance. Alternatively or additionally, sucha module may invoke a module for routing information to a materialprovider 1881 or a module for routing information to another party 1884in response to an indication that such party suggested the regimen tothe individual 282 (via an audible remark in person or a motivationalmessage 158 borne on print or other media 150 as described herein,e.g.).

Turning now to FIG. 20, there is shown a system 2000 in which one ormore technologies may be implemented. An event/condition detection unit2050 (in control unit 205 or coupled remotely via network 240, e.g.) mayinclude one or more instances of administration detection logic 2040 orother modules for handling data 2071, 2072 as described below.Administration detection logic 2040 may include one or more instances ofmodules for detecting an actuation in a vessel 2041, modules forobtaining an indication of an inhalation of bioactive material 2042,modules for obtaining a wireless indication that a vessel has beeningested 2043, modules for recording when a vessel moved 2045, modulesfor obtaining an indication of noncompliance with a regimen 2046, ormodules for obtaining a test result of a sample extracted fromindividual 2047.

Event/condition detection unit 2050 may likewise (optionally) includeone or more instances of modules for obtaining an indication of informedconsent 2061 (from a parent or other responsible party or from a programparticipant eligible to receive a therapeutic component, e.g.), modulesfor determining an eligibility 2064, modules for signaling a change inan eligibility of a party 2065, modules for obtaining an indication of amedical expense signaling an apparent noncompliance 2066, modules forindicating a product attribute 2087, modules for signaling a coveragereduction 2088, or modules for verifying that a therapeutic regimenremains in effect for an individual 2089. In some contexts,event/condition detection unit 2050 may also include one or more modulesfor logic update 2063 configured to invoke one or more modules(described with reference to FIGS. 17-20, e.g.) within another, so as tocombine two or more modules described above. This can occur, forexample, in a context in which the incentive includes a continuation ofeligibility (for a discount or program participation, e.g.) and in whichhardware or firmware implementing the combined modules physicallyoverlaps (on a common ASIC, e.g.) and also in which softwareimplementing the respective modules of the combination is executedsequentially, simultaneously, or otherwise in a mutually related manner.In some implementations, as exemplified below, such logic may beconfigured to invoke or be invoked by configuration logic 1860 orcommunication logic 1880.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for implementing and interacting with decision logic, datacapture or transformation configurations, or other components within orfor use with condition or event detection as described herein withoutundue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,304,580 (“Intelligentmedical vigilance system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,690 (“Apparatus formonitoring health, wellness and fitness”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,281(“Complimentary activity sensor network for disease monitoring andtherapy modulation in an implantable device”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,024,234(“Method and apparatus for monitoring the autonomic nervous system”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,984,207 (“Passive physiological monitoring (P2M)system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,980,851 (“Method and apparatus for determiningchanges in heart failure status”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,069 (“Apparatusand method for blood pressure pulse waveform contour analysis”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,600,949 (“Method for monitoring heart failure via respiratorypatterns”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,201 (“Method and apparatus forfacilitating physiological coherence and autonomic balance”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,312,378 (“System and method for automated collection and analysisof patient information retrieved from an implantable medical device forremote patient care”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,793 (“Cardiac assist methodusing an inflatable vest”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,693 (“Apparatus andmethod for reduction of motion artifact”); U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,751(“Activity sensor for pacemaker control”).

In some variants, administration detection logic 2040 may include amodule for obtaining an indication of an inhalation of the bioactivematerial 2042, for example, such as circuitry for recognizing an inhalerusage (by auditory pattern recognition, e.g.). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which such a module obtains data 2071indicative of a patient or device administering an inhalant 572 (asdigitized auditory data from one or more sensors 1041, e.g.), optionallyby receiving such data as a wireless or other signal transmitted fromsuch a dispensing device 1020. Alternatively or additionally, suchindications may be detected by a module for detecting an actuation in avessel 2041 or other logic described herein.

In some variants, for example, incentive determination module 350 mayinclude or otherwise communicate with a module for signaling anavailability of an option 1891. Such a hybrid or other combined modulemay include circuitry for notifying a material provider 281 of aneligibility of a customer or other individual 282 to participate in aclinical trial, for example, invoked by a module for determining theeligibility 2064. This can occur, for example, in a context in which thecustomer expresses one or more physical attributes 321, preferences 322,or other patient attributes 320 that confer the eligibility; in whichthe clinical trial or other program offers payments in kind 118 or otherincentives 140 to those who elect to participate; and in which thematerial provider 281 will receive points 116 or other benefits 120 ifthe customer participates (by a module for authorizing a benefit to amaterial provider 1852, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, in someimplementations, the module for determining the eligibility 2064 mayinvoke a negotiation protocol 1870 by which the individual 282 mayparticipate in the program only after the participant (a) confirms suchdeterminants 330 relating to eligibility and (b) acknowledges any terms131 and conditions 135 of the incentive 140, such as by asoftware-controlled enrollment protocol (via an interaction unit 275,e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for using physical conditioning, injury, or other subject statusinformation as an indication of qualification for or enrollment in anincentive or other program as described herein without undueexperimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,672,857 (“Health servicesdelivery system with incentives”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,415,447 (“Apparatusand method for prediction and management of participant compliance inclinical research”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,273,277 (“Advanced visionintervention algorithm”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,987 (“Selecting animalsfor parentally imprinted traits”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,792 (“Method forselecting an optimal diet and exercise regimen based on LDL and HDLsubclass determination”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,194,301 (“Method for screeningand treating patients at risk of medical disorders”); U.S. Pat. No.6,566,064 (“Method for anticipating sensitivity to medicine forosteoporosis”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,646 (“Method and apparatus forassessing cardiac functional status”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,145(“Screening test for the lethal genetic trait of recurrent spontaneouspregnancy loss”).

In some variants, an implementation may include or otherwise communicatewith a vessel (1) being an inhaler or syringe, (2) being a bottle orcapsule, (3) containing a bioactive or other therapeutic material inliquid or solid form, (4) having an administration detection feature, or(5) more than one of the above. Alternatively or additionally,administration detection logic 2040 may include a module for recordingwhen a vessel moved 2045, for example, such as circuitry for comparingserial images of a visual field. This can occur, for example, in acontext in which a vessel 1790 contains a first supply of the bioactivematerial, in which the module receives such data 2072 from one or moresensors 1041, in which an early image indicates a first position of thevessel, in which a later image indicates whether the vessel is stillsubstantially (approximately) in the first position, and in which suchimages are acquired frequently enough to indicate whether the vessel wasmoved within an acceptable window of time (of an ideal dispensationtime, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, such a vessel 1777 maylikewise contain auditory or other sensors 1777 effective for detectingsuch vessel movement. In some contexts, moreover, administrationdetection logic 2040 or other special-purpose hardware (on vessel 1790,e.g.) may be configured to include storage or other media 400 containingtime data 435 indicative of when such dispensation have occurred. Insome contexts, moreover, administration detection logic 2040 may beconfigured to monitor another bioactive material supply, optionallyincluding a quantity of the same bioactive material.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for determining and recording whether scheduled events arehappening within a given interval of time as described herein withoutundue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,369,476 (“Device forreading from or writing to optical recording media having a control unitfor a data slicer”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,106 (“Closed-loop system fordisplaying promotional events and granting awards for electronic videogames”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,330,101 (“Prescription compliance device andmethod of using device”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,645 (“Method formonitoring hand hygiene compliance”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,031 (“Computersystem and method for increasing patients compliance to medical careinstructions”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,271,728 (“Method for assessingimprovement in hand hygiene practices”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,170,823(“Medical dispenser, a blister card for use in the dispenser and amethod of dispensing medical doses”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,973,371 (“Unitdose compliance monitoring and reporting device and system”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,882,278 (“Apparatus and methods for monitoring compliance withrecommended hand-washing practices”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,583 (“Medicalbilling method and system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,200 (“Patientcompliance monitor”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,038 (“Dispenser having timingmeans, multisensory output and means of tracking usage number”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,371,931 (“Reflex tester and method for measurement of rangeof motion and peripheral vision”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,695 (“Eventmonitoring device”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,383 (“Prescription compliancedevice and method of using device”).

With reference now to FIG. 21 and to other flows described above, one ormore instances of operation 1120, 1230, 1350, 1440, 1520, or 1640 mayeach (optionally) include one or more instances of operation 2111,operation 2116, or operation 2117 as shown. Also one or more instancesof operation 1150, 1260, 1380, 1460, 1570, or 1680 may likewise includeone or more instances of operation 2194, operation 2195, or operation2198 as described below.

Operation 2111 describes conditioning the incentive upon compliance witha regimen that includes a plasma lipid-modifying material component(e.g. one or more modules 2064 for determining an eligibilitydesignating a regimen or individual 282 as “eligible” for payment inkind 118 or other tangible resources 119 as an incentive 140 if data 430relating to the individual's regimen includes a statin-containingmaterial component 432 prescribed for or otherwise provided to theindividual). Alternatively or additionally, the material component mayinclude (a) niacin gemfibrozil or other bioactive materialstherapeutically effective for increasing an individual's HDL level or(b) agents therapeutically effective for lowering lipid, cholesterol, ortriglycerides—fenofibrate or other peroxisome proliferator-activatedreceptor alpha (PPARα) activators, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A(HMG CoA) inhibitors, statins, or the like. This can occur, for example,in a context in which (each) module 2064 is implemented inapplication-specific circuitry or in software (in response unit 255 orinteraction unit 275, e.g.) and in which the regimen or individual wouldotherwise generally not be eligible. Alternatively or additionally, theincentive can accrue (conditionally upon compliance of a care provider283 or the individual 282, e.g.) to the benefit of an authorized agent262 who registers the individual 282 or of other parties as describedherein.

Alternatively or additionally, a routing unit 1850 that contains one ormore other modules of event/condition detection unit 2050 may performoperation 2111 by transmitting an offer 1868 to the individual 282 orother party that identifies one or more incentives 140 that areconditioned upon compliance with a regimen that includesstatin-containing material component 432. This can occur, for example,in a context in which an inoculant 571 or other dispensed materialcontains the statin(s), in which the event/condition detection unit 2050includes a module 2045 for recording when a vessel 1790 containing abioactive material moved (or other administration detection logic 2040),in which sensed data 2071 indicates when the vessel containing thematerial has moved as an indication 315 that bioactive material has beenadministered, and in which a physician or other service provider 210defines a regimen that infers compliance from such indications beingreceived daily. In some variants, module 2064 may implement one or moredeterminants 330 to select an incentive 140 (giving a performance rating138 or tangible benefit 120 dependent upon a material category 312 orother bioactive material indications 310, e.g.) for which thebeneficiary 221 of the incentive may be eligible.

Operation 2116 describes conditioning the incentive upon compliance witha regimen that includes an antihypertensive material as a bioactivematerial (e.g. one or more modules 2088 for signaling a coveragereduction warning an individual 282 or care provider 283 that theindividual will lose some aspect of medical insurance coverage if ablood pressure medication is not administered to the individual for morethan a number of hours defined by service provider 210). This can occur,for example, in a context in which service provider 210 represents amedical insurance provider, in which the regimen includes anantihypertensive material component 431 and several other materialcomponents 434 in competition for the attention of the individual 282 orcare provider 283, and in which service provider 210 makes an actuarialdetermination that noncompliance with most of such “other” aspects ofthe regimen would probably not have such costly consequences as withthat of the antihypertensive material component 431.

In some variants, operation 2116 may be performed by one or more modules2043 for obtaining a wireless indication that a vessel has been ingestedresponding to a wireless pulse from an antenna (a transmitter 1776 orother administration feature 1780 in or near a containing vessel 1790,e.g.) by signaling one or more components of the incentive 140 asdescribed herein. This can occur, for example, in a context in which abottle 1783 or capsule 1784 contains an antihypertensive material, inwhich one or more flows (of FIGS. 11-16, e.g.) relate to the material(as a therapeutic component, e.g.), and in which the wireless pulsesignifies the ingestion (inferred from a temperature rise or movementdetected by one or more sensors 1777, e.g.) Alternatively oradditionally, one or more such flows may be triggered in response to aconsent, benefit 120, or other incentive 140 as described herein beingindicated (via one or more media 150 of a compliance-indicative device190, e.g.).

Operation 2117 describes conditioning the incentive upon compliance witha regimen that includes at least one respiratory or physical therapysession (e.g. one or more modules 2046 for obtaining an indication ofnoncompliance with a regimen signaling a loss of service 148 or otherbenefits 120 to a patient in response to an indication 475 from a careprovider 283 that the patient failed to appear for a mandatoryrespiratory or physical therapy). This can occur, for example, in acontext in which a service provider 210 is obliged to compensate thecare provider 283 for the missed appointment and for the task ofproviding massage, electro-therapeutic or mechanical agents, or otherphysical therapeutic components in such a session, in which at least onesuch module 2064 (in a handheld 1741 or other portable digital device,e.g.) warns the patient of an incremental or other imminent lost benefit120, and in which a service provider 210 has determined that such promptnotifications (within a few hours before or after the appointment via awireless message, e.g.) are effective for deterring costly no-shows.Alternatively or additionally, a service provider 210 may configuremodule 2046 or other components of event/condition detection unit 2050to add points 116 to an account in response to each compliance and tosubtract points 116 from the account in response to each noncomplianceand to condition a reward (to a patient or care provider 283, e.g.) uponthe account exceeding an upper limit (indicative of general compliance)and to condition a penalty or warning upon the account traversing alower limit (indicative of a cumulative noncompliance). In somevariants, service provider 210 may effectively determine such limits byapplying a simple formula (“three strikes and you're out,” e.g.)defining an acceptable count for each type of compliance-indicativeevent (success or failure, e.g.).

More generally, administration detection logic 2040 or otherevent/condition detection units 2050 as described herein can performsuch operations by implementing both a conditional benefit 120 for anincremental compliance (rewarding a timely dose or therapy with a higherperformance rating 138 or other positive incentive 140, e.g.) and aconditional penalty for an incremental noncompliance (penalizing amissed dose or therapy with a lower performance rating 138, rewardreduction, or other negative incentive 140, e.g.). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which a material provider 281 or care provider283 administers the therapeutic component to an individual 282; in whichinteraction unit 275 includes one or more components capable ofperforming one or more of operations 1350, 1520, or 1640 as describedherein; and in which such component(s) are operably coupled withevent/condition detection unit 2050.

Operation 2119 describes determining the incentive to have a valuepartly based on a value of a therapeutic component and partly based on aphysical attribute of a putative recipient of the therapeutic component(e.g. one or more modules 2046 for obtaining an indication ofnoncompliance with a regimen signaling a loss of service 148 or otherbenefits 120 to a patient in response to an indication 475 from a careprovider 283 that the patient failed to appear for a mandatory physicaltherapy). This can occur, for example, in a context in which a serviceprovider 210 is obliged to compensate the care provider 283 for themissed appointment and for the task of providing massage,electro-therapeutic or mechanical agents, or other physical therapeuticcomponents in such a session, in which at least one such module 2064 (ahandheld device, e.g.) warns the patient of an incremental or otherimminent lost benefit 120, and in which a service provider 210 hasdetermined that such prompt notifications (within a few hours before orafter the appointment via a wireless message, e.g.) are effective fordeterring costly no-shows. Alternatively or additionally, a serviceprovider 210 may configure module 2046 or other components ofevent/condition detection unit 2050 to add points 116 to an account inresponse to each compliance and to subtract points 116 from the accountin response to each noncompliance and to condition a reward (to apatient or care provider 283, e.g.) upon the account exceeding an upperlimit (indicative of general compliance) and to condition a penalty orwarning upon the account traversing a lower limit (indicative of acumulative noncompliance). In some variants, service provider 210 mayeffectively determine such limits by applying a simple formula (“threestrikes and you're out,” e.g.) defining an acceptable count for eachtype of compliance-indicative event (success or failure, e.g.).

More generally, administration detection logic 2040 or otherevent/condition detection units 2050 as described herein can performsuch operations by implementing both a conditional benefit 120 for anincremental compliance (rewarding a timely dose or therapy with a higherperformance rating 138 or other positive incentive 140, e.g.) and aconditional penalty for an incremental noncompliance (penalizing amissed dose or therapy with a lower performance rating 138, rewardreduction, or other negative incentive 140, e.g.). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which a material provider 281 or care provider283 administers the therapeutic component to an individual 282; in whichinteraction unit 275 includes one or more components capable ofperforming one or more of operations 1230, 1350, or 1640 as describedherein; and in which such component(s) are operably coupled withevent/condition detection unit 2050.

Operation 2194 describes signaling a discount as the incentive (e.g. oneor more modules 1892 for signaling a discount generating a message 158suitable for transmission to a point of sale authorizing a retailer todiscount a purchase, e.g., via an interaction unit 275). In somecontexts, for example, processing unit 890 and module 1892 jointlyperform operation 1440—transmitting [an] indication of [an] incentivepartly based on [a] therapeutic component and partly based on [a]provider of the therapeutic component. Module 1892 may respond to datacomprising a therapeutic component (“immersion therapy,” e.g.) and aprovider of the therapeutic component (“XYZ Clinic,” e.g.) and othersuch inputs, for example, by generating one or more messages fornotifying a provider or patient of a discount. In some contexts, such adiscount may have a value (V2) that exceeds a nominal value (V1) of theservice or other therapeutic component. Such discounts may apply to thetherapeutic component or to concurrent or other purchases (of topicalpain relievers or shiatsu services, e.g.). Alternatively oradditionally, the generated message may be broadcast to the provider(s)or other message recipients 222. This can occur, for example, in acontext in which routing unit 1850 implements processing unit 890 and inwhich a service provider 210 funding the discount has determined thatthe therapeutic component is (apparently) likely enough to prevent aneed for a surgical procedure or other more-costly treatment so that thevalue of the discount is justified.

In some variants, computer 180 and module 1892 are configured jointly toperform operation 1520 (obtaining an indication of an incentive to aprovider of a therapeutic component at least partly based on anobjective indication that the therapeutic component has beenadministered to a portion of an individual) and operation 1570(including the indication of the incentive to the provider of thetherapeutic component in a message). Module 1892 may signal an incentiveto a provider (a wholesale food discount accruing to a restaurant,e.g.), for example, directly responsive to each indication that handsanitizer has been dispensed (from sensors 1777 or other administrationdetection features 1780 in a dispensing device in the restaurant'sentryway, e.g.). This can occur, for example, in a context in whichcomputer 180 implements a response unit 960 in communication withrouting unit 1850 via network 240 and in which a material provider 281advertises on the dispensing device. Alternatively or additionally, eachsuch message may be configured to include time data 435, digitalphotographs, or other such objective data effective for deterringfraudulent access to the incentive.

Operation 2195 describes presenting a first message indicative of theincentive to a care provider and a second message indicative of theincentive to a material provider (e.g. one or more instances of a modulefor conditioning an incentive 1722 upon compliance with a regimen 1749transmitting a first message notifying care provider 283 of a first partof the incentive 1722 and also transmitting a second message notifyingmaterial provider 281 of at least a second part of the incentive 1722 sothat both providers are motivated to encourage compliance with regimen1747). This can occur, for example, in a context in which a primarymodule 1710 contains or can otherwise present the first message via (aninstance of) a user interface 1740 identified with the care provider283, in which a wearable 1742 or other interaction unit 275 associatedwith the material provider 281 can present the second message, and inwhich agent 262 programs (at least) these two notifications in responseto an association between these providers and an individual 282 who is(apparently) at risk for noncompliance. Alternatively or additionally,agent 262 may identify such individuals based on one or more of theirselection histories 753, a diagnosed cognitive or other noted deficiency583 of the individual, financial importance of having a treatmentperformed, on the nature (e.g., severity) of the individual's status 971or pathology 972, or other such actuarial determinants 330. This canoccur, for example, in a context in which response unit 255 implements aprimary module 1710 that transmits a common signal 1726 containingdistinct incentives 1721, 1722 or a composite incentive 1722 (oneconfigured to benefit two or more different parties, for example, or tocombine distinct types of incentive 140, as exemplified in FIG. 1) totwo or more interaction units 275. One such interaction unit 275 mayimplement a handheld 1741 associated with the material provider 281, forexample, and others may implement user interfaces 1740 associated withother providers (worn or carried by them, for example, and listed in anordinary distribution list or similar records 1985 accessible byresponse unit 255).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for the display of sensor data and/or derived information asdescribed herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.7,321,862 (“System and method for patient-worn monitoring of patients ingeographically dispersed health care locations”); U.S. Pat. No.7,319,386 (“Configurable system for alerting caregivers”); U.S. Pat. No.7,285,090 (“Apparatus for detecting, receiving, deriving and displayinghuman physiological and contextual information”); U.S. Pat. No.6,731,976 (“Device and method to measure and communicate bodyparameters”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,992 (“Multiple patient monitoringsystem for proactive health management”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,952(“Medical alert distribution system with selective filtering of medicalinformation”); U.S. Publication No. 20040030578 (“Automated clinicalsystem to facilitate secondary review and authentication of clinicallaboratory result values”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,502 (“Pipe loadingdevice for a directional drilling apparatus”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,396(“Wireless internet bio-telemetry monitoring system and interface”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,304,580 (“Intelligent medical vigilance system”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,694,177 (“Control of data transmission between a remotemonitoring unit and a central unit”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,230(“Real-time biological signal monitoring system using radiocommunication network”).

Operation 2198 describes authorizing a resource transfer to anindividual as the incentive (e.g. one or more modules 1893 for signalinga resource transfer allocating increments of time 111, points 116,payments in kind 118, or other such resources 119 to the individual282). This can occur, for example, in a context in which the transfer isimplemented at a point of sale (in an interaction unit 275 accessed by amaterial provider 281, e.g.) and in which the individual receives thegoods or other resource(s) merely by stating that a generic bioactivematerial 681 will be used as recommended. Alternatively or additionally,other configuration logic 1860 may indicate one or more favorable terms131, payments in kind 118, or other such benefits 120 to the individualor to other parties, as a further incentive.

Alternatively or additionally, in some contexts, a module 1998 forreceiving a Boolean result from a compliance detection device or othercomponents in a monitoring unit 1990 can perform operation 2198 byauthorizing the transfer (in a screen display or other output 1982,e.g.) conditionally in response to input 1981 (individually orcumulatively) indicative of compliance with a regimen. This can occur,for example in a context in which such input is received from anactuator 1770 (a plunger 1762, e.g.) or other administrative detectionfeature 1780 of a vessel 1790 (containing a liquid or other therapeuticmaterial, e.g.).

With reference now to FIG. 22 and to other flows described above, one ormore instances of operation 1120, 1230, 1350, 1440, 1520, or 1640 may(optionally, each) include one or more instances of operation 2212,operation 2214, operation 2215, or operation 2219 as shown. One or moreinstances of operation 1150, 1260, 1380, 1460, 1570, or 1680 maylikewise include one or more instances of operation 2291 or operation2297.

Operation 2212 describes deriving the incentive partly based on aspecific identifier of a bioactive material, partly based on a categoryof the bioactive material, and partly based on an indication of adispensing device administering the bioactive material to an individual(e.g. one or more modules 1894 for signaling an other incentivedesignating food stamps or other tangible items as an incentive inresponse to an indication that dispensing device 1020 has dispensed anantibiotic or other bioactive material 1021 categorized as“time-critical” to the individual). This can occur, for example, in avending machine implements system 1000 in which communication logic 1880and incentive determination module 1080 jointly perform operation 1640,in which an (earlier-mentioned) incentive 140 accrues to the benefit ofan entity that services the vending machine (material provider 281,e.g.), and in which timely regimen compliance by patients (indigentindividuals taking an antibiotic for treating tuberculosis, e.g.) wouldotherwise occur less often. In some contexts many specific identifiers(drug or other chemical names, e.g.) may each map across several suchcategories (“daily injection,” “dietary supplement,” or “placebocomponent,” e.g.), depending upon how the bioactive material is(apparently) to be administered, regimen timing, terms of use of thematerial, or other designations of service provider 210. In a context inwhich data is needed for regulatory or other quality control complianceconcerning the specified bioactive material administered as a “dailyinjection,” for example (but not for other materials or modes ofadministration), one or more modules of communication logic 1880 mayselectively respond by identifying another incentive and transmitting anew offer 1868 indicating the incentive to interaction unit 275.Alternatively or additionally, operation 2212 may be performed by acompliance-indicative device 190 that modifies the terms 131 orconditions 134 of future transactions in response to an indication thatphysician-prescribed materials 685 dispensed by a processing unit 610(incentive determination unit 350 containing module 1894, e.g.) are of aname-brand (non-generic) category.

Alternatively or additionally, operation 2212 may be performed by aprocessing unit 610 (a nursing station, e.g.) configured to contain adispensing device (a smart syringe or pill dispenser, e.g.) thatcontains a generic bioactive material 681 or a name-brand bioactivematerial 682 and to generate the signal when it dispenses a bioactivematerial (an inoculant 571, e.g.). In some variants, computer 180 may beconfigured to contain a processing unit 610 and module 1993 configuredjointly to perform one or more of the above-described flows. This canoccur, for example, in a context in which processing unit 610 interactswith routing unit 1850 via network 240 and in which routing unit 1850 isconfigured to aggregate occurrences of noncompliance and to notify oneor more service providers 210 or care providers 283 conditionally (of anoncompliance count or rate exceeding a threshold 465 defined by suchprovider, e.g.).

Operation 2214 describes obtaining a signal from a compliance-sensitivedispensing device as a dispensing device configured to administer abioactive material to an individual (e.g. one or more modules 1993 forreceiving dispensing device output data receiving input 1981 from acompliance-indicative device 190 that includes a dispenser 170configured to administer a bioactive material). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which the dispensing device is expected totransmit biometric data 436, one or more photographic images 1984,medical records, or other data 430 relating the individual.Alternatively or additionally, monitoring unit 1990 may have one or morerecords 1985 associating a dispensing device identifier with one or moreother identifiers (of the individual or a bioactive material, e.g.) sothat the data 430 may include the device identifier or omit anidentifier of the bioactive material. This can occur, for example, in acontext in which routing unit 1850 interacts with processing unit 610 orinterface 518 via network 240.

Alternatively or additionally, operation 2214 may be performed by aprocessing unit 610 (a nursing station, e.g.) that is configured tocontain a dispensing device (a smart syringe or pill dispenser, e.g.)that contains a generic bioactive material 681 or a name-brand bioactivematerial 682 and to generate the signal when it dispenses a bioactivematerial (an inoculant 571, e.g.). In some variants, computer 180 isconfigured to contain processing unit 610 and module 1993, which areconfigured jointly to perform operation 1640 (obtaining an indication ofan incentive partly based on a category of a bioactive material andpartly based on an indication of a dispensing device administering thebioactive material to an individual) and operation 1680 (transmittingthe indication of the incentive). This can occur, for example, in acontext in which computer 180 implements processing unit 610 incommunication with routing unit 1850 via network 240 and in whichrouting unit 1850 is configured to aggregate occurrences ofnoncompliance and to recognize trends therein (as a determinant indeciding whether to signal a care provider 283 that a patient needs toimprove compliance, for example, by a message 158 suggesting training orreminding the patient transmitted to the provider'scompliance-indicative device 190).

Operation 2215 describes receiving an indication from a test of a bodilyfluid of an individual after a dispensing device administers a bioactivematerial to the individual (e.g. one or more modules 1994 for detectinga property of a sample from an individual receiving input 1981 from asample tester 160 or other compliance-indicative device 190). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which monitoring unit 1990 hasreceived an indication (as input 281, e.g.) that the bioactive materialwas administered to the individual (from an interaction unit 275operated by a material provider 281 or other individual 282 authorizedto transmit such indications 4U4, e.g.) before a sample of bodily fluid(urine or blood, e.g.) is received and tested. Alternatively oradditionally, the indication of the test of the bodily fluid may includeone or more scalar measurements (one or more prior measurements 453 orcurrent measurements 454, e.g.) to facilitate an expert monitoring suchdata 430 for trends or other correlations. This can occur, for example,in a context in which monitoring unit 1990 is configured to include oneor more response units 580 (configured to monitor data 430, for example,by applying to a material indication 575 one or more thresholds 462 orother criteria that depend on physical attributes 590 of theindividual).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 2215 may be performed by aprocessing unit 890 (implemented in a response unit 255 that is remotefrom individual 282, e.g.) that uses such dispensation-indicative dataas objective indicia of compliance or noncompliance. In some variants,for example, response unit 255 may be configured to indicatenoncompliance on any day that data indicating compliance is not received(in which interaction unit 275 includes a sample tester 160 configuredto indicate compliance upon detecting the absence of a metabolite of anillegal drug, e.g.). This can occur, for example, in a context in whichprocessing logic 875 and module 1994 jointly perform operation 1440 andin which the indication of the incentive (or absence thereof) istransmitted daily to service provider 210 and individual 282.

Operation 2219 describes receiving an indication of the incentive from asite that has apparently received a category of a bioactive material andan indication of a dispensing device administering the bioactivematerial to an individual (e.g. one or more interfaces 380 receiving anotice of credits 117 earned from an incentive determination unit 350that can access a bioactive material identifier 311 or category 312 inresponse to the bioactive material being administered by a dispenser 170to an individual 282). This can occur, for example, in a context inwhich the dispensing device is in a vicinity of the individual, in whicha response unit 255 implements the incentive determination unit 350remotely from the dispensing device, and in which a control unit 205remote from the incentive determination unit 350 and from the dispensingdevice receives the indication of the incentive. In some variants, forexample, the dispensing device may include a vending machine, kiosk, orother such interaction unit 275 configured to dispense an inoculant 571or inhalant 572. Alternatively or additionally, incentive determinationunit 350 may determine one or more incentives 140, potential or actualbeneficiaries of the incentive, or message recipients 222 to be notifiedof the incentive partly based upon the identifier 311 or category 312and partly based upon attributes of the individual as described herein.

In some variants, operation 2219 may be performed by an event/conditiondetection unit 2050 that includes a module 2065 for signaling a changein an eligibility of a party (responding conditionally to a patient'scompliance by making the patient eligible for additional benefits 120,e.g.). This can occur, for example, in a context in which module 2065determines compliance (positively or negatively) from one or more“first” indications (that a dispensing device given to the individualhas or has not administered the bioactive material, e.g.). Alternativelyor additionally, this can occur in a context in which the dispensingdevice includes a delivery unit 225 in a vicinity of the beneficiary 221of the incentive that can transmit or otherwise give the incentive tothe beneficiary 221 (via a printer or other display medium 156, e.g.).

Operation 2291 describes authorizing a benefit to another individual asa component of the incentive (e.g. one or more modules 1854 forauthorizing a benefit to an individual delivering or otherwiseallocating some combination of referrals 141, eligibilities 146,services 148, payments in kind 118, or other benefits 120 to one or morematerial providers 281 or care providers 283). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which module 1854 resides in or communicateswith an interaction unit 275 in a vicinity of such “other”individual(s), in which a first or primary beneficiary 221 has a mentaldisorder or other disability that might preclude that individual fromusing a bioactive material or other therapy on his or her owninitiative, and in which the participation of such a material provider281 or care provider 283 (in the form of a suggestion or other messageindicating a regimen, for example, or a direct administration of atherapeutic component) would sometimes facilitate the enrollment of suchindividuals in a program or policy that requires a therapeutic regimen.Alternatively or additionally, module 1854 may perform operation 2291 byinvoking a module 1881 for routing information to a material provider orother communication logic 1880 as described herein and by determiningwhether a response to that communication constituted an acceptance 1886of the incentive.

Operation 2297 describes conditioning a benefit upon an acceptance ofthe incentive (e.g. one or more modules 1853 for implementing aconditional benefit generating an authorization signal conditionallyupon receiving data 1885 signifying a recipient's acceptance 1886 of abenefit 120). This can occur, for example, in response to an instance ofoperation 1350—obtaining an indication of an incentive to an individualpartly based on an indication of a health status apparently resultingfrom a therapeutic component administered to a portion of the individualand partly based on another physical attribute of the individual. Inresponse to an abatement of a symptom (indicating an apparently improvedhealth status, e.g.), for example, module 1853 and module 765 canjointly perform operation 1380—transmitting the indication of theincentive. Module 1853 may respond to data comprising a therapeuticcomponent (“immersion therapy,” e.g.) and a provider of the therapeuticcomponent (“XYZ Clinic,” e.g.) and other such inputs by generating oneor more messages for notifying a provider or patient of a discount. Insome contexts, such a discount may have a value (V2) that exceeds anominal value (V1) of the service or other therapy. Such discounts mayapply to the therapeutic component or to concurrent or other purchases(of topical pain relievers or shiatsu services, e.g.). Alternatively oradditionally, the generated message may be broadcast to the provider(s)or other message recipients 222. This can occur, for example, in acontext in which routing unit 1850 implements processing unit 890 and inwhich a service provider 210 authorizing the discount has determinedthat the therapeutic component is likely to prevent the need for asurgery or other more-costly treatment.

In some variants, processing unit 610, linking unit 390, and module 1853are configured jointly to perform operation 1230 (obtaining a selectionof an incentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a physical attribute of the individual) and operation1260 (transmitting the selection of the incentive). Module 1853 mayimplement operation 2297 (conditioning a benefit upon an acceptance ofat least a portion of the incentive), for example, in a context in whichmodule 1853 awards points 116, miles, or other such quantifiablebenefits expressed as a scalar value in response to an indication that apatient with an identified physical attribute (“fair complexion” or “oncorticosteroids,” e.g.) manifests an indication of a willingness to havethe therapeutic component administered to a portion of the patient(sunscreen being applied to the patient's skin or a portion thereof,e.g.). Such an award of benefits may trigger a communication to theindividual (via a display medium 154 or otherwise as an instance ofoperation 1260, e.g.) or to a dispenser 170 (of candy, tickets or othertangible items as the incentive, e.g.). This can occur, for example, ina context in which a child or other difficult-to-motivate patient mightotherwise not use sufficient diligence in accepting or otherwiseobtaining the therapeutic component. In some cases, a dispenser 170 mayinclude one or more keys by which an individual may manifest theacceptance or lack thereof (as “Y” and “N” keys, e.g.). Alternatively oradditionally, each such acceptance of an incentive may be manifested asa verbal input (e.g., a “yes!” in response to a question of “will youapply sunscreen if I give you a nickel?”) detectable by an incentiveacceptance module 1720 (implementing a microphone/speech recognitionmodule analyzing signal 1727, e.g.).

FIG. 23 depicts flow 2300 in relation to other flows described above inFIGS. 5-11. One or more instances of operation 1120, 1230, 1350, 1440,1520, or 1640 may (each, optionally) include one or more instances ofoperation 2311, operation 2313, operation 2314, or operation 2316 asexemplified below. Also one or more instances of operation 1150, 1260,1380, 1460, 1570, or 1680 may likewise (each, optionally) include one ormore instances of operation 2392, operation 2394, operation 2397, oroperation 2398.

Operation 2311 describes detecting whether data from one or more sensorsindicate an actuation of a portion of a dispensing device (e.g.administration detection module 1748 or event/condition detection unit2050 selectively recognizing the sound of a cover 1761, plunger 1762,button 1763, or other actuator 1770 of the dispensing device inoperation). This can occur, for example, in a context in which vessel1790 is configured as the dispensing device and in which data from oneor more sensors 1734, 1777 is of sufficient resolution to permitauditory pattern recognition. Alternatively or additionally,event/condition detection unit 2050 may be configured to use visual orother sensor data (on medium 450, e.g.) to detect one or more events insequence as an objective indication that a therapeutic component isbeing administered.

Operation 2313 describes conditioning the incentive upon compliance witha regimen that includes a nitric oxide donor component (e.g. a primarymodule 1710 or module 2064 for determining an eligibility selecting aneligibility 147 for additional increments 112, 113 of days or months ofclose monitoring in response to indications of noncompliance exceeding athreshold 465, and otherwise selecting a more favorable eligibility146). This can occur, for example, in a context in which such modulesinclude media 450 bearing a nitric-oxide-donor material component 425and in which a researcher or other service provider 210 wants to ensurethat a dispersed group of care providers 283 are effectively andsufficiently motivated to follow a specific study protocol of topicalorganic nitrate administration to patients who have a pathology ofinterest for product development. Alternatively or additionally,operation 2313 may be performed by other modules of incentivedetermination unit 350 or event/condition detection unit 2050 asdescribed above.

Operation 2314 describes conditioning the incentive upon compliance witha regimen that includes an anti-infective component (e.g. beneficiaryselection module 342 awarding services 148, certificates, or otherbenefits 120 selectively to motivate a population of parents to immunizetheir children according to a prescribed antiviral regimen).Alternatively or additionally, in some contexts, operation 2314 caninclude a sample tester 160 transmitting one or more currentmeasurements 454 (indicating a concentration of the antiviral componentor a metabolyte thereof, e.g.) to a module 1997 for determining whetherquantitative data indicates regimen compliance on the part of anindividual 282 having an infection-indicative pathology 972. In somevariants, for example, such material components 434 may include one ormore protease inhibitors, cellular transport/efflux inhibitors,neuraminidase inhibitors, monoclonal or polyclonal antibiotics, immuneserums, antimicrobials, antimycobacterials (such as isoniazid,rifampicin, or other antituberculosis drugs, e.g.), anti-fungals,antivirals, antiretrovirals (ARVs), or other such bioactive materials1031. Alternatively or additionally, operation 2314 may be performed byother modules of incentive determination unit 350 or event/conditiondetection unit 2050 that include one or more media 450 bearing anantiviral material component 422 as described above.

Operation 2316 describes determining the incentive as a linear functionof a value of a therapeutic component (e.g. one or more incentivecomputation modules 348 setting V2=k×V1, k being a multiplier between 1and 3, V1 being a value of a therapeutic component, and V2 being a valueof one or more components of the incentive). In some variants, suchmultipliers may have dimensional transfer units (like “points permilligram” or “candies per session,” e.g.) and may be vector-valued ormatrix-valued (for implementing composite incentives or in relation tocomposite indicators of regimen compliance, e.g.). Alternatively oradditionally, incentive selection module 346 may be used to select amongseveral incentive computation modules 348 as a function of one or morepatient attributes 320, contemporaneous measurements 654, or other suchdeterminants 330. This can occur, for example, in a context in which anindividual 282 has an age 581 of less than a threshold 464 (of tenyears, e.g.) and in which incentive selection module 346 responds tothis condition by selecting one or more incentive computation modules348 dealing in highly tangible incentives 140 (coins or coupons, e.g.)instead of those dealing in less tangible incentives 140 (referrals 142,e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, incentive selection module 346 mayselect an incentive component in response to an inventory that is localto the individual 282 (in a compliance-indicative device 190 or otherinteraction unit 275 available to the individual 282, e.g.), held by amaterial provider 281 available to the individual 282, or otherwiseknown to incentive selection module 346.

In some variants, the incentive can be determined as a nonlinearfunction of a value of a therapeutic component (e.g. one or moreincentive computation modules 348 using a logarithmic or other commonmonotonic function of V1 to obtain V2). In some contexts, for example, aservice provider 210 may implement such a function for systematicallydefining incentives for thousands of material components 434 (within agiven category of material 685, e.g.) each having a known wholesalevalue.

Operation 2392 describes transferring one or more credits to a careprovider in response to an indication that a bioactive material wasadministered (e.g. a module for authorizing a benefit to a care provider1852 signaling a transfer of currency or other credits 117 into anurse's account 489 conditionally in response to the nurse reporting theadministration via a specific transmission medium 156). In somecontexts, for example, administration detection logic 2040 reporting(apparent) compliance with a medication regimen may directly invokeinteraction unit 275 (in a kiosk, e.g.) to signal material provider 281to (send or otherwise) transfer tangible resources 119 to the careprovider. Alternatively or additionally, a care provider may obtain aneligibility 146 (to enter a club or a website, for example, operated bythe material provider) by such an account growing sufficiently large orin exchange for such credits. Alternatively or additionally, operation2392 may be performed by other modules of routing unit 1850 orevent/condition detection unit 2050 as described above.

Operation 2394 describes obtaining a selection of a type of theincentive in response to input from a resource provider (e.g. one ormore ports 385 receiving from incentive selection modules 346 incentivetype data 326 that is responsive to data from a service provider 210 whoallocates resources to serve as enrollment or compliance incentives).This can occur, for example, in a context in which service provider 210sponsors an enrollment by providing or promising credits 117, paymentsin kind 118, discounts, referrals 141, or services 148 of various types,some of which may be effective for enticing material providers 281 orother individuals 282 to facilitate enrollment or compliance asdescribed herein.

Operation 2397 describes manifesting an improvement in a reputation of aprovider (e.g. interaction unit 275 transmitting an award notificationor other laudatory message 158 about a material provider 281 to variousother message recipients by invoking one or more modules 1884 forrouting information to another party). This can occur, for example, in acontext in which an agent 262 configures such modules in response unit255 to broadcast the message across multiple linkages 206, 226, 276 asan automatic response to an indication (from interaction unit 275, e.g.)of the provider reaching a defined goal. A program manager or technician261 may implement such goals, for example, by causing one or modules forauthorizing a benefit to an individual 1854 to increase a success ratioor other performance rating 138 of the provider (as the individual,e.g.) responsive to instances of successful delivery of services ormaterials (or vice versa). Alternatively or additionally, operation 2397may be performed by other modules of routing unit 1850 andevent/condition detection unit 2050 as described above.

Operation 2398 describes authorizing a transfer of one or more resourcesinto an account of a recipient of the incentive (e.g. one or moremodules for signaling a resource transfer 1893 causing an account 489belonging to one or more beneficiaries 221 to reflect one or morecredits 117 or other quantifiable resources 119 of an incentive 140).Alternatively or additionally, incentive determination units 350 asdescribed herein can perform operation 2398 by transmitting such anauthorization as an incentive indication 372 to an agent 262 or otherindividual (at an interface 380 or other response unit 255, e.g.) whocan perform the transfer.

With reference now to FIG. 24 and to other flows described above inrelation to FIGS. 5-11, one or more instances of operation 1120, 1230,1350, 1440, 1520, or 1640 may (each, optionally) include one or moreinstances of operation 2411, operation 2413, operation 2414, oroperation 2418 as exemplified below. Also one or more instances ofoperation 1150, 1260, 1380, 1460, 1570, or 1680 may likewise include oneor more instances of operation 2492, operation 2495, operation 2497, oroperation 2499.

Operation 2411 describes detecting a health status apparently resultingfrom a dispensing device administering a bioactive material to anindividual (e.g. one or more modules 1999 for detecting a health-statusattribute, such as circuitry for recognizing a current measurement 454that is closer to normal than a prior measurement 453 after recognizingone or more indications 473-475 that care provider 283 has administeredthe bioactive material to a patient or other individual 282). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which one or more records 1985associate the bioactive material with an anticipated improvement in suchmeasurements, in which interaction unit 275 includes the dispensingdevice or other vessel 1790 as described herein, in which response unit255 implements monitoring unit 1990, and in which care provider 283signals the administration and the health status via interaction unit275. In some variants, for example, response unit 255 queriesinteraction unit 275 for such data items in sequence via interactionunit 275.

Operation 2413 describes determining the indication of the incentive inresponse to an indication of a product attribute (e.g. one or moremodules 2087 for indicating a product attribute signaling one or morematerial identifiers 311, categories 312, values 313, or other bioactivematerial indications 310; an expiration date; or a dosage capacity, anindication of whether a vessel 1790 has an administration detectionfeature 1780, or other such vessel attribute). Alternatively oradditionally, such a module may obtain such indications from a materialprovider 281 (via interaction unit 275, e.g.).

Operation 2414 describes conditioning the incentive upon an actuation ina vessel (e.g. one or more modules 2041 for detecting and responding toan actuation in a vessel, such as circuitry for responding to anejection of pills from a dispenser by transmitting data 2072 effectivefor identifying the incentive 140). In some variants, such a module mayreside in an interaction unit 275 physically separate from the vessel.This can occur, for example, in a context in which a care provider 283or other individual 282 triggers the actuation, in which at least onemodule 2041 includes circuitry for detecting an ejection of one or morepills from a dispenser 170 or circuitry for detecting a componentactuation in a syringe or other dispensing device, and in whichadministration detection unit 2040 is configured to detect one or moreof a timely dispensation of the bioactive material, an image of theindividual pushing a button 1763 or otherwise triggering the actuation,or some other objective indication of compliance as described herein.Alternatively or additionally, such modules may detect an actuation thatsignifies a systemic or other direct administration (into theindividual's mouth or vein, e.g.) of a bioactive material configured toprovide a systemic treatment. In some contexts, moreover, anevent/condition detection unit 2050 may include such administrationdetection logic 2040 configured to transmit (across a network 240 orother transmission media 355, e.g.) an indication of the actuation inreal time (wirelessly via a network linkage 276, e.g.) or after storinga series of such indications of a sufficient number of actuations (asdata 2071 on a storage medium 152 indicating an actuation count thatexceeds a threshold value, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for detecting actuations in a portion of a vessel as describedherein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,480,543(“Ultrasonic sensor for detecting the dispensing of a product”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,442,180 (“Apparatus and methods for administering bioactivecompositions”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,511 (“Dispensing device, dispensingmethod and method of detecting defective discharge of solutioncontaining biological sample”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,347,200 (“Medicamentdispenser”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,299,944 (“Fluid dispenser calibrationsystem and method”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,269,476 (“Smart medicinecontainer”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,233,015 (“System and method for detectingliquid flow from a nozzle in a semiconductor processing device”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,170,823 (“Medical dispenser, a blister card for use in thedispenser and a method of dispensing medical doses”); U.S. Pat. No.7,117,653 (“Flavoring system and method”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,269(“Apparatus and method for testing seed singulation of a seed meter”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,027,935 (“Sample dispensing apparatus and automaticanalyzer using the same”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,998,230 (“Array fabricationwith drop detection”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,920,372 (“Audit monitoring andproduct drop system for retrofitting vending machines”); U.S. Pat. No.6,895,307 (“Data processing system for managing chemical productusage”).

Operation 2418 describes detecting a dispensing device administering abioactive material to an individual via injection (e.g. one or moremodules 1998 for receiving a Boolean result indicating a plunger 1762 orother administration detection feature 1780 of a syringe having injectedan inoculant 571). This can occur, for example, in a context in whichsuch a module 1998 receives material indications 575 signifying theinoculant or other indications 1051 signaling the dispensing device 1030injecting the bioactive material 1031. Alternatively or additionally,processing unit 1040 may be configured to perform one or more flows asdescribed above.

Operation 2492 describes presenting an availability of an option to anindividual as an indication of the incentive (e.g. one or more modules1883 for routing information to an individual and modules 1891 forsignaling an availability of an option jointly displaying a message 158expressing the option to individual 282 via interaction unit 275). Thiscan occur, for example, in a context in which the individual receiveseligibilities 146, discounts, or other such options as benefits 120 thatmay entice the individual to subscribe to a policy or adopt a regimen.Alternatively or additionally, communication logic 1880 may include oneor more modules 1884 for routing information to another party (amaterial provider 281, e.g.) who can, in turn, explain the option to theindividual or entice the individual to obtain or exercise the option.

Operation 2495 describes transmitting an indication of the incentive toa care provider (e.g. one or more modules for routing information to acare provider 1882 transmitting data 1885 indicative of an actual orpotential incentive to care provider 283). This can occur, for example,in a context in which routing unit 1850 performs one or more instancesof operation 1150, 1260, 1380, 1460, 1570, or 1680; and in which careprovider 283 explains and potentially administers such incentive(s) inconjunction with any related terms and conditions; and in which careprovider 283 can thereafter transmit any such parties' acceptance 1886of such terms, conditions, or incentives.

Operation 2497, describes transmitting an indication of the incentive toa party other than the care provider (e.g. one or more modules forsignaling an other incentive 1894 transmitting data 1885 indicative of acomponent of an incentive 140 to a material provider, beneficiary 221,another recipient 222, or an individual 282 receiving therapy). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which said component of theincentive 140 is not conditional upon any indication of an acceptance1886; in which other communication logic 1880 notifies other parties ofone or more other components of the incentive; in which routing unit1850 performs one or more instances of operation 1150, 1260, 1380, 1460,1570, or 1680; and in which a desirable administration of a therapeuticcomponent would often not occur in the absence of cooperation betweentwo or more parties. Alternatively or additionally, said component ofthe incentive 140 may include one or more physical, tangible resources119, certificates, or other manifestations of benefits 140 concurrentlyshipped to one or more recipients 222.

Operation 2499 describes obtaining a size of the incentive in responseto a pattern of enrollment (e.g. one or more ports 385, 386 receivingfrom incentive computation modules 348 quantitative incentiveindications 372 that are responsive to whether prior offers 1868resulted in a higher-than-needed or lower-than-needed rate of acceptance1886). This can occur, for example, in a context in which an incentivecomputation module 348 will designate (1) a 10% incentive increase eachtime a given offer 1868 of incentive is not accepted X1 consecutivetimes and (2) a 10% incentive decrease each time a given offer 1868 ofincentive is accepted X2 consecutive times. Alternatively oradditionally, service provider 210 may designate other incentive type,beneficiary, or size adjustments responsive to patterns of programenrollment or regimen compliance as described herein.

FIG. 25 depicts flow 2500 in relation to other flows described above inFIGS. 5-11, one or more instances of operation 1120, 1230, 1350, 1440,1520, or 1640 may include one or more instances of operation 2511,operation 2512, operation 2515, operation 2517, or other implementationsof operation 2519 as exemplified below. Also one or more instances ofoperation 1150, 1260, 1380, 1460, 1570, or 1680 may likewise include oneor more instances of operation 2593, operation 2594, operation 2596, oroperation 2598.

Operation 2511 describes determining the incentive by obtaining abiometric measurement of an individual (e.g. incentive determinationunit 350 obtaining one or more determinants 330 by invoking one or moremodules for obtaining a current physical attribute of an individual 1995such as a current measurement 454 of a temperature, concentration,optical parameter, feature size, or other current physical attribute ofthe individual for comparison with earlier measurement data or otherdata indicative of normality or change). This can occur, for example, ina context in which the biometric measurement indicates whether atreatment regimen has been successful or otherwise indicates a healthstatus (feature) of the individual.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for recording of event information resulting from the comparisonof measured and/or derived information to other information as describedherein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,422(“Detection of congestion from monitoring patient response to arecumbent position”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,370 (“Attitude indicator andactivity monitoring device”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,980,851 (“Method andapparatus for determining changes in heart failure status”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,978,182 (“Advanced patient management system includinginterrogator/transceiver unit”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,192 (“Measurementof sleep apnea duration and evaluation of response therapies usingduration metrics”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,903 (“Automated collection andanalysis patient care system and method for diagnosing and monitoringcongestive heart failure and outcomes thereof”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,230(“Real-time biological signal monitoring system using radiocommunication network”).

Operation 2512 describes determining the incentive by obtaining (anindication of) a health status of an individual (e.g. incentivedetermination unit 350 obtaining one or more determinants 330 byresponding to one or more sensors 1734 that provide an audio record 1737or other data 2071 signaling the individual reporting how he or she isfeeling or has been feeling). In some variants, for example, incentivecomputation module 348 may (1) cause interaction unit 275 or other userinterfaces to present one or more queries relating to the individual'shealth status or to a therapeutic component, (2) receiving one or morehealth status indications in response, and (3) designate a largerincentive for a patient who indicates a health status improvement (andperhaps for component providers as well). Alternatively or additionally,beneficiary selection module 342 may add an incentive component foranother party (as a potential advocate, e.g.) responsive to anindication that a patient (a) apparently has a worsening symptom and (2)is apparently not complying with a diagnostic or other regimen relatedto the symptom. Alternatively or additionally, the health status 751 maydepend on scalar or other biometric data 436 or other input 1981constituting a past or present status of a normal or other aspect of theindividual's physical health (as a baseline, e.g.). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which a therapeutic material (a diuretic orother medication, e.g.) is associated with an indicator of the healthstatus (a blood pressure or concentration-indicative measurement, e.g.)by virtue of its therapeutic application. More generally, the PDR FamilyGuide to Prescription Drugs (9th ed.) and PDR for Nonprescription Drugs,Dietary Supplements, and Herbs (32nd ed.) each identifies numerousbioactive materials in association with corresponding foreseeable healthstatus indications (a current measurement 454 indicative of one or moretherapeutic improvements or side effects or their absence relative to aprior measurement 453 or other norm, e.g.). Both are incorporated byreference to the extent not inconsistent herewith.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for aggregating symptomatic or other structural data orimplementing predictive or other expert systems as described hereinwithout undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,315,825(“Rules-based patient care system for use in healthcare locations”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,272,435 (“System and method for sudden cardiac deathprediction”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,225,013 (“Adaptive prediction of changesof physiological/pathological states using processing of biomedicalsignals”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,027,871 (“Aggregation of data from externaldata sources within an implantable medical device”); U.S. Pat. No.6,988,088 (“Systems and methods for adaptive medical decision support”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,643,646 (“Analysis of massive data accumulations usingpatient rule induction method and on-line analytical processing”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,533,724 (“Decision analysis system and method for evaluatingpatient candidacy for a therapeutic procedure”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,421(“Method for the medical monitoring in real time of a patient from theanalysis of electroencephalograms to characterize and differentiatebetween physiological or pathological conditions, and a method foranticipating epileptic seizures”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,317,731 (“Method forpredicting the therapeutic outcome of a treatment”); U.S. Pat. No.6,025,128 (“Prediction of prostate cancer progression by analysis ofselected predictive parameters”).

Operation 2515 describes determining the incentive by obtaining a genderor age of an individual (e.g. one or more modules of incentivedetermination unit 350 obtaining one or more determinants 330 byinvoking a user interface 518 or other interaction unit 275 receivingindications of physical attributes 590 that include an age 581 or gender582 of a subject individual 282). This can occur, for example, in acontext in which a care provider 283 provides such data to facilitateenrolling the individual in a treatment program or other regimen.

Operation 2517 describes determining the incentive by obtaining apathology of an individual (e.g. incentive determination unit 350obtaining one or more determinants 330 and interaction unit 275 jointlygenerating incentive type data 326 or incentive source data 327responsive to indications of patient attributes 970 that include adisease state or other pathology 972 of an individual 282). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which an uncommon pathology mayqualify the individual for special incentives for enrollment in orcompliance with a regimen as described herein and in which incentivedetermination unit 350 otherwise would not be able to obtain data aboutwhich individuals exhibit the pathology (because of patientconfidentiality issues, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, a providermay qualify for special incentives as described herein for referringparticipants having such pathologies (or other uncommon attributes) to aprogram as described herein.

Operation 2519 describes determining the incentive by obtaining aphysical attribute of an individual (e.g. one or more modules ofincentive determination unit 350 obtaining a biometric measurement,health status, gender, age, pathology, or other such physical attributes321 of the individual 282 usable as described herein as determinants 330affecting incentives 140 suggested or conferred as described herein).Service provider 210 may configure one or more beneficiary selectionmodules 342, message recipient selection modules 344, incentiveselection modules 346, incentive computation modules 348 to depend uponsuch determinants 330 as described herein. In a context in which one ormore current measurements 454 indicate that a measured weight of theindividual 282 reflects a large-enough excess 584 (in view of a heightor other physical attributes 590 of the individual 282, e.g.), forexample, service provider 210 may include, enhance, or selectivelyindicate incentive components to an individual 282 who agrees to provideuse an appetite suppressant, exercise regimen, healthy dietary regimen,or other such therapeutic component (suitable for helping the individual282 lose weight, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, the incentive mayinclude one or more components for benefiting a care provider 283 (aphysical trainer, e.g.) or a material provider 281 (grocer, e.g.) inresponse to an endorsement, reminder, or other message 148 about suchregimen(s) forwarded to the individual 282 or to the individualsubscribing to or complying with such regimen(s). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which the excess 584 or other patientattributes 970 indicate that individual 282 suffers from diabetes,polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, or other pathologies or risksassociated with excess weight.

In a context in which such measurement(s) indicate that that themeasured weight signifies a large-enough deficiency 583, conversely,service provider 210 may include, enhance, or selectively indicateincentive components to a subscribing/compliant individual 282 and to amaterial provider 281 or care provider 283 in response to anendorsement, reminder, or other message 148 about a weight-enhancementregimen given to the subscribing/compliant individual 282. This canoccur, for example, in a context in which (the deficiency 583 and other)patient attributes 970 indicate that individual 282 suffers fromanorexia or is undergoing chemotherapy or other health conditionsassociated with underweight individuals.

Various context are described herein in which an incentive component maybe created or enhanced in response (a) to measurements or otherindications that a therapeutic component may be appropriate or necessaryfor the well-being of an individual 282 and (b) to indications that arate of enrollment in a research study or other program will not achievean adequate level of participation for a given subpopulation (defined bygender, age, weight, pathology, or other such attributes, for example).Some or all of such qualifications may be confidential and not directlyavailable until such confidentiality is waived, in some contexts, suchthat service provider 210 might elect to create incentives forparticipation (and such waiver) that are highly generous. In response toone or more indications of overinclusive incentives/enrollment, however,a roll-back of such incentives may be warranted in response to anindication that a given individual 282 is not in a most-sought subclassof participants. In these and similar contexts in which a roll-back iswarranted, service provider 210 may exclude, reduce, or selectively omitincentive components or notifications to the individual 282 or otherparties in response to physical attributes 321 or other currentmeasurements 454 indicating that one or more therapeutic components weresuccessful or in which specific components of incentives 140 are longerneeded. This can occur, for example, in a context in which theindividual's weight, blood pressure, material concentration, thermalindications, or other biometric data 436 indicative of infection orother disease (have crossed one or more thresholds 464, 465 so that theynow) fall within normal parameters. Alternatively or additionally, suchreductions may be appropriate in relation to one or more beneficiaries221 of incentives 140 whose primary role was to introduce or explain aprogram to the individual(s) 282 or to facilitate a setup or otherwisewhose ongoing participation is not crucial.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for monitoring apparent vascular changes or other such phenomenaas described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat.No. 7,331,928 (“Ultrasonic doppler bloodstream measurement device”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,297,280 (“Method and apparatus to measure blood flow inhemodialysis shunts”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,289,927 (“Method and apparatusfor the monitoring of body temperature and/or blood flow”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,254,432 (“Method and device for non-invasive measurements of bloodparameters”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,415 (“Microwave hemorrhagic strokedetector”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,200,431 (“Implantable blood flow monitoringsystem”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,598 (“Method for determining theeffectiveness of a medical therapy by analysis of collateral vessels”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,171,251 (“Physiological stress detector device andsystem”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,713 (“Doppler ultrasound method andapparatus for monitoring blood flow and hemodynamics”); U.S. Pat. No.6,740,042 (“Bilateral simultaneous doppler measurement of segmentedsphygmomanometry”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,919 (“Inferior-and-superior-limbblood-pressure-index measuring apparatus”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,223(“Cuffless continuous blood pressure monitor”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,087(“Method and apparatus for noninvasive assessment of a subject'scardiovascular system”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,983 (“Continuous monitoringusing a predictive instrument”).

Also in light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for receiving, extracting, or otherwise obtaining thermalindications via sensors or other structures in, on, or near body partsas described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat.No. 6,983,178 (“Probe for use in non-invasive measurements of bloodrelated parameters”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,975,232 (“Apparatus and method for“seeing” foot inside of shoe to determine the proper fit of the shoe”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,340,293 (“Methods and apparatus for a remote,noninvasive technique to detect core body temperature in a subject viathermal imaging”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,867 (“Probe assembly of infraredthermometer”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,087,903 (“Gamma camera and CT system”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,293 (“Blood flow reestablishment determination”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,767 (“Method and system for controlling heatdelivery to a target”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,371 (“Axillary infraredthermometer and method of use”).

Operation 2593 describes selecting a beneficiary of the incentive inresponse to a pattern of enrollment (e.g. one or more beneficiaryselection modules 342 responding to a pattern of individuals 282enrolling in a research program by selecting one or more of a materialprovider 281, a care provider 283, or such individuals 282 to be thebeneficiaries 221 of respective incentives. In some contexts, forexample, a beneficiary selection module 342 may designate a materialprovider 281 and care provider 283 as beneficiaries of a very largebenefit in response to a pattern of enrollment indicating that suchincentives result in higher rates of acceptance 1886 than similarincentives offered directly to individuals 282 who enroll. Alternativelyor additionally, service provider 210 may implement a composite systemof incentives in response to a pattern of enrollment that indicates thatenrollment efficiency is maximized by offering a first-type incentive tothe individuals and a second-type incentive to the material or serviceprovider(s).

Operation 2594 describes selecting a recipient of a notification of theincentive in response to a received message (e.g. one or more recipientselection modules 344 transmitting an offer 1868 or other incentivenotification message 158 to a material provider 281 or other provider asa prompt conditional response to a message from the provider). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which another party may be themessage recipient 222 in the absence of such a message from theprovider(s), in which a test subject or other individual 282 may qualifyfor another incentive for enrollment or regimen compliance as describedherein, in which such provider(s) can relay or explain the availabilityof such other incentive to the (potentially) qualifying individual, andin which some such individuals may otherwise be less able to understandthe incentive or regimen.

Operation 2596 describes transmitting an indication of the incentive toa material provider (e.g. one or more modules for routing information toa material provider 1881 or modules for authorizing a benefit to amaterial provider 1851 transmitting one or more such indications 471,472 via interaction unit 275). This can occur, for example, in a contextin which routing unit 1850 performs one or more instances of operation1150, 1260, 1380, 1460, 1570, or 1680; and in which incentivedetermination unit 350 generates such indication(s) in response to oneor more bioactive material indications 310, indications 315 thatbioactive material has been administered, or other such determinants 330as described herein.

Operation 2598 describes transmitting an indication of the incentive toanother individual (e.g. one or more modules for routing information toanother party 1884 transmitting an offer 1868 or other indication 471 ofa putative incentive to a qualifying patient or service provider 210 inresponse to one or more physical attributes 321, emotions, preferences322, or other such attributes 320 signifying that the patient qualifiesfor a study or other treatment regimen). This can occur, for example, ina context in which material providers 281 or care providers 283 arenotified by other operations (operation 2495 or 2596, e.g.), in whichservice provider 210 wants to enroll as many qualifying patients asquickly as practicable without going over a set maximum, and in whichservice provider 210 would not otherwise be able to track how manypotential participants (patients, e.g.) currently have a pending offerof enrollment.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for using physiological and/or other measurement data to detectan emotional state of a patient or other individual as described hereinwithout undue experimentation. U.S. Pat. No. 7,340,393 (“Emotionrecognizing method, sensibility creating method, device, and software”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,298,256 (“Crisis monitoring system”); U.S. Pat. No.7,289,949 (“Method for routing electronic correspondence based on thelevel and type of emotion contained therein”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,283,962(“Methods and systems for detecting, measuring, and monitoring stress inspeech”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,282,028 (“Method and apparatus for measuringanimal's condition by acquiring and analyzing its biological signals”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,263 (“Method and system for user authentication andidentification using behavioral and emotional association consistency”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,075 (“Detecting emotions using voice signalanalysis”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,033 (“Apparatus and methods fordetecting emotions in the human voice”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,852,086(“Detection of signs of attempted deception and other emotional stressesby detecting changes in weight distribution of a standing or sittingperson”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,116 (“Apparatus and method for perceivingphysical and emotional state”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,217 (“Apparatus andmethods for detecting emotions”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,688 (“Method andapparatus for analyzing neurological response to emotion-inducingstimuli”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,261 (“Telethermometric psychologicalevaluation by monitoring of changes in skin perfusion induced by theautonomic nervous system”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,138 (“Emotional responseanalyzer system with multimedia display”).

FIG. 26 depicts flow 2600 in relation to other flows described above inFIGS. 5-11, one or more instances of operation 1120, 1230, 1350, 1440,1520, or 1640 may include one or more instances of operation 2611,operation 2612, operation 2613, operation 2616, or operation 2617. Alsoone or more instances of operation 1150, 1260, 1380, 1460, 1570, or 1680may likewise include one or more instances of operation 2691, operation2695, operation 2698, or operation 2699.

Operation 2611 describes obtaining an indication of an incentive havinga value V2 such that V1<V2<10×V2 and partly based on a therapeuticcomponent and partly based on a provider of the therapeutic component,V1 being the value of the therapeutic component (e.g. implementationmodule 2718 or incentive selection module 346 selecting one or morequalifying incentives from incentive source data 327 or other records1985 listing an inventory of items with prices). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which medium 1992 contains current data(updated daily, e.g.) from the provider of the therapeutic component(amazon.com, e.g.) that includes a listed price assigned to V2, in which“qualifying” means at least that V1<V2<10×V1, in which items pricedbelow V1 or above 10×V1 are removed, in which a median price ofremaining item(s) corresponds with the item to be indicated as theincentive. In some variants, “qualifying” may also depend on one or moreattributes 320 of the individual 282 (such as stated preferences 322 orpast incentive selections, e.g.) or other incentive type data 326 sothat qualifying items (books describing the therapeutic component,promoted by the supplier, or identified by the individual, e.g.) areavailable only intermittently. Alternatively or additionally, anearest-value (qualifying or other) item may be selected or offered(among qualifying selections, e.g.).

Operation 2612 describes obtaining an indication of an inhalation of abioactive material (e.g. one or more modules for obtaining an indicationof an inhalation of a bioactive material 2042 detecting an auditory orother direct indication of an actuation of an inhaler or similardispensing device; a presence of an inhalant, metabolyte, or othermarker thereof in a subject's system; or other such indications of aninhalant 572 dispensed as described herein). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which a provider or other beneficiary 221 ispromised or receives tangible resources 119 or other incentive 140 inresponse to such indications via a compliance-indicative device 190 (ofdelivery unit 225, e.g.).

Operation 2613 describes obtaining an indication of when at least aportion of a vessel moved (e.g. one or more modules for recording when avessel moved 2045 detecting or receiving time data 435 indicating aseries of instances when a vessel 1790 containing a therapeutic materialmoved as an indication that the therapeutic material was or was nottaken in compliance with a regimen). If the regimen required that thetherapeutic material be taken with a frequency F but the time data 435indicates that the vessel was moved less frequently than 0.9×F, forexample, such a deviation may justify an inference of regimennoncompliance and/or a withholding of an incentive. Suitableimplementations may include or be configured to respond toaccelerometers or any of numerous other suitable implementationcircuitry affixed to or otherwise supported by the vessel that canreadily be implemented in light of teachings herein. Alternatively oradditionally, such implementations may include or be configured torespond to circuitry for comparing a first image of a visual field witha second image of the visual field or any of numerous other suitableimplementation circuitry that may be in view of the vessel or otherwisenot mechanically supported by the vessel, also readily implemented inlight of teachings herein. In some variants, moreover, operation 2613may include or be configured to respond to circuitry for detecting anactuation (of a valve, cap, cover 1761, or other portion of the vessel,e.g.).

Operation 2616 describes obtaining an indication that a vessel has beeningested (e.g. one or more modules for obtaining a wireless indicationthat a vessel has been ingested 2043 detecting a current measurement 454indicating that a capsule 1784 has been swallowed). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which such a vessel 1790 has one or moresensors 1777 or other administration detection features 1780 configuredto detect one or more of (a) a temperature about equal to that of aliving body; (b) a pH about equal to that of stomach acid; (c) auditoryor optical indicia of ingestion; or (d) an ambient pressure, electricalconductivity, or other device-detectable property consistent withimmersion in a digestive fluid.

Operation 2617 describes obtaining a test result of a sample extractedfrom an individual (e.g. one or more modules for obtaining a test resultof a sample extracted from an individual 2047 detecting an analyte of atherapeutic material or other regimen compliance indication in a bodilyfluid, hair, or other sample extracted from individual 282). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which such a module (within or incommunication with a sample tester 160, e.g.) has one or more a priorithresholds 462, 465 indicative of a marker or other material component434 of the therapeutic material in a concentration sufficient toindicate regimen compliance.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for measuring a concentration or otherwise obtaining a result ofa test of a sample extracted from a person as described herein withoutundue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,491,493 (“Method andkit for molecular identification of smallpox”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,480,032(“Device and method for in vitro determination of analyte concentrationswithin body fluids”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,455,973 (“Methods and compositionsfor the detection of cervical disease”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,356,364(“Device for optical monitoring of constituent in tissue or body fluidsample using wavelength modulation spectroscopy, such as for bloodglucose levels”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,365 (“Serum biomarkers ofHepatitis B Virus infected liver and methods for detection thereof”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,782 (“Electrochemical detection of ischemia”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,989,891 (“Device and method for in vitro determination ofanalyte concentrations within body fluids”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,884,223(“Method for detecting .alpha.-oxoaldehydes in the whole blood, bloodplasma and/or serum of a patient”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,750,053 (“Apparatusand method for assaying coagulation in fluid samples”); U.S. Pat. No.6,718,007 (“Using hair to screen for breast cancer”); U.S. Pat. No.6,623,972 (“Automated method for detecting, quantifying and monitoringexogenous hemoglobin in whole blood, plasma and serum”); U.S. Pat. No.6,461,830 (“Determining existence of preeclampsia in pregnancies bymeasuring levels of glycerophosphatidyl compounds,glycerophosphatidycholine, lysophospholipids andlysophosphatidylcholine”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,614 (“Measurement ofanalytes in whole blood”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,245,511 (“Method andapparatus for exponentially convergent therapy effectiveness monitoringusing DNA microarray based viral load measurements”).

Operation 2691 describes obtaining an indication of informed consent(e.g. one or more modules for obtaining an indication of informedconsent 2061 generating one or more images 1984 or other records 1985signaling that an individual 282 authorizes an incentive 140, a mode oftracking the individual's eligibility 147 for the incentive, and otherterms 131 or conditions 135 that affect the incentive). This can occur,for example, in a context in which such terms and conditions are setforth in a shrink-wrap license or in which the individual provides anelectronic signature, audio record 1737, or other data record 1735manifesting a legally enforceable offer, acceptance, or partialperformance.

Operation 2695 describes signaling a change in an eligibility of a party(e.g. one or more modules for signaling a change in an eligibility of aparty 2065 conditioning one or more eligibilities 146, 147 upon somecombination of conditions 134, 135 described herein). In some contexts,for example, a party may become eligible for an incentive in response toa request 488, data 1885 indicative of an acceptance 1886 of an offer1868, or other manifestations of an informed consent. Alternatively oradditionally, the party may become ineligible for the incentive 140 inresponse to an absence of an indication that a bioactive material hasbeen administered 315 or to other conditions 134, 135 as describedherein.

Operation 2698 describes obtaining an indication of an abnormally lateorder for a therapeutic component (e.g. one or more modules forobtaining an indication of a medical expense signaling an apparentnoncompliance 2066 detecting that a material provider 281 or otherindividual has not been ordering a requisite quantity of a therapeuticcomponent fast enough to permit compliance with a regimen). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which such orders are nominallysufficient to provide P treatments for Q individuals for a given periodof weeks but in which supplies for fewer than P×Q/2 treatments have beenordered before or during that period of weeks, warranting an inferencethat at least one such individual has apparently not received one ormore requisite treatments of a prescribed regimen within one or moreacceptable time intervals.

Operation 2699 describes obtaining an indication of whether anindividual remains enrolled in a program requiring a therapeutic regimen(e.g. one or more modules for verifying that a therapeutic regimenremains in effect for an individual 2089 determining whether a providerhas confirmed that an individual 282 remains enrolled in a program afterhaving sent a request for such confirmation to the provider). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which the provider has been givenample opportunity and incentive for replying (by following a “confirmenrollment” link in an electronic message identifying the program andthe individual, for example, in a context in which affirmative andaccurate responses are rewarded with an enhanced eligibility 146, e.g.).Alternatively or additionally, in some variants, one or more incentives140 to the individual(s) may depend upon whether their continuedenrollment is confirmed.

Substantially any of the above-described systems may further include oneor more cameras 1732 configured to obtain video data or other visualrecords 1736. Such records may include an objective indication of abioactive or other therapeutic material 685 administered to a portion ofan individual 282, such as a video clip of a care provider 283administering a topical treatment. This can occur, for example, in acontext in which the therapeutic component comprises a targeted drug orother topical bioactive material that is not well suited for theindividual to use as a systemic treatment, in which such data isconsistently available for review (stored in an archive, e.g.) as anobjective indication that the material has been administered to aspecific portion of the individual, in which such records are notgenerally reviewed, and in which an underwriter or other serviceprovider 210 can authorize a type of benefit 120, coverage, or otherservice 148 to a class of individuals conditionally in response to suchrecords being generally available. Such classes may be defined by one ormore physical attributes 321, preferences 322, or other patientattributes 320, for example. Such records may also include an indicationof a health status apparently resulting from a bioactive materialadministered to the individual, such as a biometric measurement(indicating an increase in temperature, e.g.) or a comparative photo(indicating a skin color change or other expected improvement after aregimen that includes topical or systemic steroid treatments, e.g.).

Data records 1735 may likewise include a video clip of a patient's faceduring such administration, biometric data or other input 1981 from apatient or provider, or other such indications of physical attributes ofa treatment recipient. In some variants, recording system 1730 may beconfigured to obtain a voice recording of individual 282 or other suchauditory records 1737 indicating some or all of (a) a therapeuticcomponent administered to a portion of the individual; (b) a uniquevocal signature or other identifying attribute of the individual; (c) areport of nausea or other symptoms; (d) a pulse or other systemicattribute of the individual; or (e) other physical attributes pertainingto the individual. Alternatively or additionally, such recording systemsmay operate in conjunction with a sensor 1734 configured to generate anindication of a vessel 1790 or other local device administering amedication or other therapeutic component.

Substantially any of the above-described systems may (optionally)include printable labels or other display media 154 as well as storagemedia 152 other components of user interfaces 1740. In some contexts,such media 150 may bear one or more indications 474 of the incentivepartly based on a provider of a therapeutic component (a drugstoreidentifier or clinic name, e.g.) and partly based on the therapeuticcomponent (as a lookup function of a drug or a percentage of its price,e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, such indications may depend upondata 2072 received from a remote source (incentive determination unit350, e.g.) via network 240. Interaction unit 275 may include a displaymedium 154, for example, configured to transmit to a material provider281 the indication of the incentive partly based on the therapeuticcomponent and partly based on the provider of the therapeutic component.Alternatively or additionally, a bottle 1783 or other vessel 1790containing a therapeutic component may bear such display media 154 (as aprinted label, e.g.).

Substantially any of the above-described systems may include a vessel1790 (vending machine or other dispensing device, e.g.) containing abioactive material in one or more bottles 1783, tubes, syringes, orother such forms suitable for handling. Such vessels may likewiseinclude a retractable cover 1761 or other actuator 1770 facilitatingadministration or a response unit or static media 450 containing productnumbers or other data 430 indicative of material components 434. Suchmaterial components may (optionally) include one or moreantihypertensives, eyedrops or other liquids, nutraceuticals, statins,or other dosed bioactive materials or other therapeutic materials(placebos, e.g.). In some variants, for example, the bioactive materialincludes a coating or other material effective for delaying the releaseof another (component) bioactive material in which the vessel is acapsule 1784 within a bottle 1783 having an administration detectionfeature 1780 configured so that an administration is detectable by aradio frequency identification (RFID) unit or other administrationdetection module 1748 (via visual detection within a vicinity 1750 ofvessel 1790, a wireless coupling 1755, a mechanical linkage, or othersuch administration detection features 1780 of vessel 1790 or primarymodule 1710 e.g.).

Some instances of vessel 1790 or similar devices may include a targeteddrug or prescribed inoculant as a therapeutic component administered bya material provider 281 (a pharmacist or medical facility, e.g.). Vessel1790 may likewise include one or more sensors 1777, administrationdetection logic 2040, or other administration detection features 1780configured to detect and transmit (via transmitter 1776 to a handheld1741 or other user interface 1740, e.g.) data 2071 indicating anadministration of a bioactive material. Vessel 1790 may include one ormore actuators 1770, recording systems 1730, or other response unitscontaining digital data 832, 430 or other device-detectablemanifestations of one or more bioactive material categories 484 (anarcotic, a controlled substance, an amino acid, an active ingredient, ageneric product, a coating, an antibiotic, or a precursor, e.g.),dispensation time data 435, dosages 437, or other such indications 960of a material component 434. This can occur, for example, in a contextin which vessel 1790 is configured to signal (via transmitter 1776 to awearable 1742 or other user interface 1740, e.g.) an indication of amarking component 1779 identifying or otherwise indicating thetherapeutic component(s) in a vessel. Even in a context without anytransmitter 1776 or other coupling 1755, moreover, an administrationdetection feature 1780 may manifest a device-detectable event orcondition (a dispensation or material component 434, e.g.), such as bytriggering a color change or other such physical phenomena detectable(visually or audibly within a vicinity 1750 of vessel 1790, for example)via a camera 1732 or other sensor 1733). Alternatively or additionally,a primary module 1710 or other dispenser having an incentive acceptancemodule 1720 a user interface 1740 may be configured to contain vessels1790 or to administer a bioactive material directly to (into or onto,e.g.) a therapy recipient.

In some variants, such a device may contain or otherwise include aningestible tablet or other capsule 1784 comprising the therapeuticcomponent and having a label or other external marking indicating aningestible or other therapeutic component available to the individual (anutraceutical or over-the-counter drug, e.g.). Alternatively oradditionally, the vessel 1790 may include a dye or other markingcomponent 1779 or packaging identifying a product, a category of aningredient material 685, a material provider 281, or other suchindications of a systemic or other therapeutic component. Amaterial-containing vessel may likewise include a syringe, inhaler,pump, or other dose-metering structure having an administrationdetection feature 1780 configured to detect an indication of thetherapeutic component being (or to be or having been) administered to aportion of an individual. In some variants in which the vessel includesa dispenser 170 or other administration device (a bottle or tubeconfigured to administer a steroid or other bioactive material into oronto a patient, e.g.), one or more sensors 1734, 1777 in, on, or in avicinity 1750 of the vessel 1790 may be configured to obtain atemperature or other biometric measurement, image, or other physicalattribute of (some or all of) the individual. Such variants may likewisehave an administration detection module 1748 or other device configuredto signal a presence of a marking component 1779 (a fluorescent dye orother human-detectable feature mixed with or applied to the therapeuticcomponent before administration, e.g.) as an indication of thetherapeutic component.

In some contexts a research protocol or other treatment regimencomprises several therapeutic components of which some are materialcomponents (relating to a timing, dosage, manner, tracking, expected oractual effect, or other aspect of an ingestion or other administrationof a bioactive material or placebo, e.g.). Such regimens may befacilitated by various combinations of (a) therapeutic material to beadministered into or onto a portion of an individual 282; (b) a primarymodule 1710 administering or facilitating an administration of a topicalor other therapeutic component to an individual 282; (c) one or moremedia 150, 450 transmitting, displaying, storing, or otherwise bearingdata 430 directly or indirectly indicating that the material has beenadministered; (d) an event/condition detection unit 2050 counting,qualifying, or otherwise tracking such indications in various contextsdescribed herein; (e) a compliance-indicative device 190 or othermonitoring unit 1990 indicating an aggregation of such indicationsmanifesting compliance with a term 131 or condition 135 of a regimen oreligibility 147; or (f) an incentive determination unit 350 configuredremotely via a control unit 205 defining a putative incentive type,source, beneficiary 221, and prospective or other notification mode asdescribed herein. Substantially any such combination may (optionally) beimplemented either within interaction unit 275 or via a routing unit1850 within network 240. This can occur, for example, in a context inwhich interaction unit 275 may include a monitoring unit 1990, a vendingor other dispensing device (implementing processing unit 610, e.g.), ora handheld or other interface 380, 518, 918 at a point of service orsale.

In some variants, as articulated above, operation 1350 can be performedby software-controlled or special-purpose circuitry for obtaining anindication of an incentive to an individual partly based on anindication of a health status apparently resulting from a therapeuticcomponent administered to a portion of the individual and partly basedon another physical attribute of the individual. In some contexts, suchcircuitry can include one or more media bearing data indicative of thetherapeutic component including a bioactive material configured fortopical application.

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1350 may include some or all ofobtaining an indication of an inhalation of another bioactive material(by operation 2612, e.g.); conditioning the incentive upon compliancewith a regimen that includes an antiviral component (by operation 2314,e.g.); deriving the incentive partly based on a specific identifier ofthe therapeutic component and partly based on an indication of adispensing device administering the therapeutic component to the portionof the individual (by operation 2212, e.g.); obtaining a gender or ageof the individual (as another physical attribute of the individual or asa determinant affecting the incentive or the indication of theincentive, e.g.; such as by operation 2515); conditioning the incentiveupon an actuation in a vessel (by operation 2414, e.g.); conditioningthe incentive to the individual upon compliance with a regimen thatincludes a statin-containing material component (by operation 2111,e.g.); detecting whether data from one or more sensors indicate anactuation of a portion of a dispensing device (by operation 2311, e.g.);or detecting a health status apparently resulting from a dispensingdevice administering a bioactive material to the individual (a symptomalleviation or side effect of an administered steroid, e.g., such as byoperation 2411).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1350 may include some or all ofobtaining a signal from a compliance-sensitive dispensing device as adispensing device configured to administer a bioactive material to theindividual (as the therapeutic component administered to the portion ofthe individual or as another physical attribute of the individual, e.g.,such as by operation 2214); obtaining a pathology of the individual (asanother physical attribute of the individual and as a determinantaffecting the incentive or the indication of the incentive, e.g., suchas by operation 2517); receiving an indication from a test of a bodilyfluid of the individual (as another physical attribute of the individualor as an indication that a dispensing device administered a material tothe individual, e.g.) after a dispensing device administers a bioactivematerial to the individual (by operation 2215, e.g.); obtaining anindication that a vessel has been ingested (by operation 2616, e.g.); orobtaining an indication of when a vessel moved (by operation 2613,e.g.).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1350 may include some or all ofobtaining a test result of a sample extracted from the individual (asanother physical attribute of the individual, e.g., such as by operation2617); receiving an indication of the incentive from a site that hasapparently received a category of a bioactive material and an indicationof a dispensing device administering the bioactive material to theindividual (by operation 2219, e.g.); obtaining a health status of theindividual (as another physical attribute of the individual, e.g., suchas by operation 2512); determining the indication of the incentive inresponse to an indication of a product attribute (by operation 2413,e.g.); obtaining a biometric measurement of the individual (as anotherphysical attribute of the individual, e.g., such as by operation 2511);determining the incentive to the individual to have a value partly basedon a value of a therapeutic component and partly based on a physicalattribute of the individual (by operation 2119, e.g.); detecting adispensing device administering a bioactive material to the individualvia injection (by operation 2418, e.g.); conditioning the incentive uponcompliance with a regimen that includes a nitric oxide donor component(by operation 2313, e.g.); or conditioning the incentive to theindividual upon compliance with a regimen that includes anantihypertensive material component (by operation 2116, e.g.) or thatincludes at least one respiratory or physical therapy session (byoperation 2117, e.g.).

In some contexts, such systems may include circuitry for obtaining anindication of an incentive to an individual partly based on anindication of a health status apparently resulting from a therapeuticcomponent administered to a portion of the individual and partly basedon another physical attribute of the individual. Such circuitry or othermodules may include or otherwise access media storing or otherwisebearing data indicative of the therapeutic component, for example, suchas a bioactive material dosed or otherwise configured for topicalapplication.

In some variants, such systems may likewise include one or moreinstances of (a) physical media bearing time data indicative of when oneor more dispensations of the therapeutic component have occurred; (b)administration detection software or other logic configured to detectone or more optical indications of a movement of a vessel containing thetherapeutic component; (c) a camera configured to obtain a visual recordas the indication of the health status apparently resulting from thetherapeutic component administered to the portion of the individual; (d)a sensor configured to obtain a biometric measurement as the indicationof the health status apparently resulting from the therapeutic componentadministered to the portion of the individual; or (e) a vesselcontaining the therapeutic component or otherwise configured tofacilitate a dispensation of the therapeutic component as describedabove. In some contexts, for example, such a vessel may include one ormore instances of administration detection logic configured to detectone or more auditory indications of a movement of the vessel, a bottlecontaining the therapeutic component and having an administrationdetection feature configured to detect an indication of the therapeuticcomponent being administered, a tube containing the therapeuticcomponent and having an administration detection feature configured todetect an indication of the therapeutic component being administered,the vessel containing an inoculant as the therapeutic component, aresponse unit containing one or more material indications of thetherapeutic component, the vessel containing the therapeutic componentand having an actuator, or the vessel containing the therapeuticcomponent and having a wireless communication coupling device.

Alternatively or additionally, such systems may further comprise one ormore instances of a device configured to detect (by imaging or auditoryanalysis, e.g.) the indication of the therapeutic component beingadministered to the portion of the individual, a device including anadministration detection feature and configured to administer thetherapeutic component, a device including administration detection logicand containing the therapeutic component, a dispenser including anadministration detection feature and configured to administer thetherapeutic component to the portion of the individual, or a dispenserincluding administration detection logic and configured to administerthe therapeutic component, in which the therapeutic component includes abioactive material.

In some variants, as articulated above, operation 1430 can be performedby software-controlled or special-purpose circuitry for obtaining firstdata indicating a therapeutic component having a first value V1. In somecontexts, such circuitry can include one or more media bearing dataindicative of the first value V1. Operation 1440 may likewise beperformed by software-controlled or special-purpose circuitry forobtaining an indication of an incentive having a second value V2 andpartly based on the therapeutic component and partly based on a providerof the therapeutic component. In some contexts, such circuitry caninclude one or more media bearing data indicative of an informed consentof the individual (or other non-physical attribute of the individualaffecting the incentive or the indication of the incentive, e.g.).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1430/1340 may include one ormore instances of receiving an indication of the incentive from a sitethat has apparently received a category of a bioactive material and anindication of a dispensing device administering the bioactive materialto an individual as the therapeutic component (by operation 2219, e.g.);deriving the incentive partly based on a specific identifier of abioactive material, partly based on a category of the bioactivematerial, and partly based on an indication of a dispensing deviceadministering the bioactive material to an individual as the therapeuticcomponent (by operation 2212, e.g.); or detecting a dispensing deviceadministering a bioactive material to an individual via injection as thetherapeutic component (by operation 2418, e.g.).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1430/1340 may include some orall of conditioning the incentive upon an actuation in a vessel (byoperation 2414, e.g.); receiving an indication from a test of a bodilyfluid of an individual after a dispensing device administers a bioactivematerial to the individual as the therapeutic component (by operation2215, e.g.); obtaining an indication of when a vessel moved (byoperation 2613, e.g.); or determining the incentive so that V2>V1 (byoperation 2119 or 2212, e.g.).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1440 may include some or all ofobtaining a health status of an individual (as a determinant of theincentive or the indication of the incentive, e.g., such as by operation2512); determining the incentive to have the (second) value V2 partlybased on the (first) value V1 of a therapeutic component and partlybased on a physical attribute of a putative recipient of the therapeuticcomponent (by operation 2119, e.g.); obtaining an indication that avessel has been ingested (by operation 2616, e.g.); or determining theincentive as a linear function of a value of a therapeutic component (byoperation 2316, e.g.).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1430/1340 may include some orall of obtaining an age or a biometric measurement of an individual (asa determinant of the incentive or the indication of the incentive, e.g.,such as by operation 2511 or 2515); detecting whether data from one ormore sensors indicate an actuation of a portion of a dispensing device(by operation 2311, e.g.); conditioning the incentive upon compliancewith a regimen that includes an antihypertensive material component asthe therapeutic component (by operation 2116, e.g.); conditioning theincentive upon compliance with a regimen that includes a nitric oxidedonor component as the therapeutic component (by operation 2313, e.g.);or conditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimen thatincludes an antiviral component of the therapeutic component (byoperation 2314, e.g.).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1440 may include some or all ofobtaining a pathology of an individual (as a determinant of theincentive or the indication of the incentive, e.g., such as by operation2517, e.g.); obtaining a signal from a compliance-sensitive dispensingdevice as a dispensing device configured to administer a bioactivematerial to an individual as the therapeutic component (by operation2214, e.g.); obtaining a physical attribute of an individual (as adeterminant affecting the incentive or the indication of the incentive,e.g., such as by operation 2519); determining the incentive so thatV2>V1 (by operation 2119 or 2212, e.g.); obtaining an indication of aninhalation of a bioactive material (by operation 2612, e.g.); obtaininga test result of a sample extracted from an individual (as a determinantaffecting the incentive or the indication of the incentive, e.g., suchas by operation 2617); or detecting a health status apparently resultingfrom a dispensing device administering a bioactive material to anindividual as the therapeutic component (by operation 2411, e.g.).

In some variants, circuitry for obtaining first data indicating atherapeutic component having a first value V1 may include a mediumbearing data indicative of the first value V1. Alternatively oradditionally, circuitry for obtaining an indication of an incentivehaving a second value V2 and partly based on the therapeutic componentand partly based on a provider of the therapeutic component may includeone or more instances of media bearing data indicative of an informedconsent of the individual (or other non-physical attribute of theindividual affecting the incentive or the indication of the incentive,e.g.).

In some variants, as articulated above, operation 1520 can be performedby software-controlled or special-purpose circuitry for obtaining anindication of an incentive to a provider of a therapeutic component atleast partly based on an objective indication that the therapeuticcomponent has been administered to a portion of an individual. In somecontexts, such circuitry can include one or more media bearing dataindicative of the therapeutic component including a bioactive materialconfigured for topical application.

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1520 may include some or all ofreceiving an indication of the incentive from a site that has apparentlyreceived a category of a bioactive material and an indication of adispensing device administering the bioactive material to the individual(by operation 2219, e.g.); detecting whether data from one or moresensors indicate an actuation of a portion of a dispensing device orobtaining an indication of when a vessel moved (as the objectiveindication that the therapeutic component has been administered to theportion of the individual, e.g., such as by operation 2311 or 2613);determining the incentive to the provider of the therapeutic componentto have a value partly based on a value of the therapeutic component andpartly based on a physical attribute of the individual (by operation2119, e.g.); conditioning the incentive to the provider of thetherapeutic component upon compliance with a regimen that includes anantihypertensive material component (by operation 2116, e.g.);conditioning another incentive to the provider of the therapeuticcomponent upon compliance with a regimen that includes a nitric oxidedonor component (by operation 2313, e.g.); obtaining a signal from acompliance-sensitive dispensing device as a dispensing device configuredto administer a bioactive material to the individual (by operation 2214,e.g.); or conditioning an incentive to the individual upon an actuationin a vessel (by operation 2414, e.g.).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1520 may include one or moreinstances of obtaining an indication that a vessel has been ingested (asthe objective indication that the therapeutic component has beenadministered to the portion of the individual, e.g., such as byoperation 2616); obtaining a physical attribute of the individual (apathology or the objective indication that the therapeutic component hasbeen administered to the portion of the individual, e.g., such as byoperation 2519); determining the incentive to the provider of thetherapeutic component as a linear function of a value of the therapeuticcomponent (by operation 2316, e.g.); deriving the incentive to theprovider of the therapeutic component partly based on a specificidentifier of the therapeutic component, partly based on a category ofthe therapeutic component, and partly based on an indication of adispensing device administering the therapeutic component to theindividual (by operation 2212, e.g.); conditioning the incentive to theprovider of the therapeutic component upon compliance with a regimenthat includes at least one physical therapy session (by operation 2117,e.g.); or conditioning another incentive upon compliance with a regimenthat includes an antiviral component (by operation 2314, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for detecting that an object has apparently been ingested asdescribed herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.7,504,954 (“Radio frequency identification pharmaceutical trackingsystem and method”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,437,195 (“Regulation of eatinghabits”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,427,266 (“Method and apparatus forverification of ingestion”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,414,534 (“Method andapparatus for monitoring ingestion of medications using an implantablemedical device”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,382,263 (“Oral drug compliancemonitoring using radio frequency identification tags”); U.S. Pat. No.7,141,016 (“Systems and methods for monitoring gastrointestinalsystem”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,531 (“Ingestible medical payload carryingcapsule with wireless communication”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,062,312(“Combination and method including a visual marker for determiningcompliance with a medication regimen”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,846(“Devices and methods for monitoring drug therapy compliance”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,136,801 (“Therapeutic agent with quantitative consumptionmarker”).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1520 may include some or all ofobtaining an indication of an inhalation of a bioactive material (byoperation 2612, e.g.); obtaining a test result of a sample extractedfrom the individual (as the objective indication that the therapeuticcomponent has been administered to the portion of the individual, e.g.,such as by operation 2617); obtaining a pathology of the individual (byoperation 2517, e.g.); obtaining a gender or age of the individual (byoperation 2515, e.g.); receiving an indication from a test of a bodilyfluid of the individual or otherwise obtaining a biometric measurementof the individual (as the objective indication that the therapeuticcomponent has been administered to the portion of the individual, e.g.,such as by operation 2511 or 2215); detecting a health status apparentlyresulting from a dispensing device administering a bioactive material tothe individual or otherwise obtaining a health status of the individual(by operation 2411 or 2512, e.g.); or detecting a dispensing deviceadministering a bioactive material to the individual via injection (asthe objective indication that the therapeutic component has beenadministered to the portion of the individual, e.g., such as byoperation 2418).

In some variants, as articulated above, operation 1120 can be performedby software-controlled or special-purpose circuitry for obtaining aselection of an incentive to an individual partly based on an indicationof a therapeutic component administered to a portion of the individualand partly based on a physical attribute of the individual.

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1230 may include some or all ofobtaining a gender as a physical attribute of the individual (as adeterminant affecting an eligibility, e.g., such as by operation 2515);conditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimen that includesa statin-containing material component or an antihypertensive materialcomponent as another therapeutic component administered to theindividual (by operation 2111 or 2116, e.g.); determining the indicationof the incentive in response to an indication of a product attribute(using dosage, package type, cost, etc.) as a determinant for generatingthe indication of the therapeutic component (by operation 2413, e.g.);or deriving the incentive partly based on a specific identifier of abioactive material (a prescription number or product name partly orfully identifying the therapeutic component, e.g.), partly based on acategory of the bioactive material (“prescription drug” or “antibiotic,”e.g.), and partly based on an indication of a dispensing deviceadministering the bioactive material to the individual (by operation2212, e.g.).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1230 may include some or all ofobtaining a biometric measurement as a physical attribute of theindividual (by operation 2511, e.g.); detecting a dispensing deviceadministering a bioactive material to the individual via injection (byoperation 2418, e.g.); obtaining an indication of an inhalation ofanother bioactive material as the indication of the therapeuticcomponent administered to the portion of the individual or as anotherindication of a therapeutic component administered to the individual (byoperation 2612, e.g.); or obtaining a test result of a sample extractedfrom an individual as a physical attribute of the individual (byoperation 2617, e.g.); obtaining an indication of when a vessel moved(by operation 2613, e.g.).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1230 may include one or moreinstances of obtaining a signal from a compliance-sensitive dispensingdevice as a dispensing device configured to administer a bioactivematerial (of the therapeutic component, e.g.) to the individual (byoperation 2214, e.g.); receiving an indication from a test of a bodilyfluid of the individual after a dispensing device administers anotherbioactive material to the individual (identifying or indicating apresence or concentration of the other bioactive material or an analyteor other marker thereof, e.g., such as by operation 2215); conditioningthe incentive upon an actuation in a vessel (by operation 2414, e.g.);determining the incentive as a linear function of a value of thetherapeutic component administered to the portion of the individual (byoperation 2316, e.g.); conditioning the incentive upon compliance with aregimen that includes an antiviral component or a nitric oxide donorcomponent of the therapeutic component administered to the portion ofthe individual (by operation 2313 or 2314, e.g.); detecting whether datafrom one or more sensors indicate an actuation of a portion of adispensing device (by operation 2311, e.g.); receiving an indication ofthe incentive from a site that has apparently received a category of abioactive material (“topical” or “systemic” or “steroid,” e.g.) and anindication of a dispensing device administering the bioactive materialto the individual (by operation 2219, e.g.); or detecting a healthstatus (“improved” or “inflamed,” e.g.) apparently resulting from adispensing device administering a bioactive material to the individual(by operation 2411, e.g.).

In some variants, as articulated above, operation 1120 can be performedby software-controlled or special-purpose circuitry for obtaining anindication of an incentive to an individual partly based on a physicalattribute of the individual and partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component available to the individual. In some contexts,such circuitry can include one or more media bearing data indicative ofthe therapeutic component including a bioactive material configured fortopical application.

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1120 may include some or all ofconditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimen that includesa statin-containing material component as the therapeutic componentavailable to the individual (by operation 2111, e.g.); conditioning theincentive upon an actuation in a vessel (comprising the therapeuticcomponent, e.g., such as by operation 2414); obtaining a biometricmeasurement of or a pathology of the individual (as a physical attributeof the individual, e.g., such as by operation 2511 or 2517); orobtaining an indication that a vessel has been ingested (as thetherapeutic component, e.g., such as by operation 2616).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1120 may include some or all ofconditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimen that includesan antihypertensive material component as the therapeutic componentavailable to the individual (by operation 2116, e.g.); obtaining a testresult of a sample extracted from the individual (as a physicalattribute of the individual, e.g., such as by operation 2617); ordetermining the incentive to have a value partly based on a value of thetherapeutic component and partly based on the physical attribute of theindividual (by operation 2119, e.g.).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1120 may include some or all ofconditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimen that includesat least one respiratory or physical therapy session as the therapeuticcomponent available to the individual (by operation 2117, e.g.); orreceiving an indication from a test of a bodily fluid of the individualafter a dispensing device administers a bioactive material to theindividual (as the therapeutic component, e.g., such as by operation2215).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1120 may include some or all ofderiving the incentive partly based on a specific identifier of abioactive material, partly based on a category of the bioactivematerial, and partly based on an indication of a dispensing deviceadministering the bioactive material to the individual (by operation2212, e.g.); obtaining a signal from a compliance-sensitive dispensingdevice as a dispensing device configured to administer a bioactivematerial to the individual (by operation 2214, e.g.); obtaining a healthstatus of the individual (as a physical attribute of the individual,e.g., such as by operation 2512); obtaining a gender or age of theindividual (as another physical attribute of the individual or as adeterminant of the incentive, e.g., such as by operation 2515); ordetecting a dispensing device administering a bioactive material to theindividual via injection (as the therapeutic component, e.g., such as byoperation 2418).

In some variants, as articulated above, operation 1640 can be performedby software-controlled or special-purpose circuitry for obtaining anindication of an incentive partly based on a category of a bioactivematerial and partly based on an indication of a dispensing deviceadministering the bioactive material to an individual. In some contexts,such circuitry can include one or more media bearing data indicative ofthe bioactive material including an antihypertensive-material component(as the category of the bioactive material, e.g.) or data indicative ofa preference of the individual (or other non-physical attribute of theindividual affecting the incentive or the indication of the incentive,e.g.)

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1640 may include some or all ofconditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimen that includesa statin-containing material component or an antiviral component (as thecategory of the bioactive material, e.g., such as by operation 2111 or2314); conditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimen thatincludes a respiratory or physical therapy session and an administrationof the bioactive material (by operation 2117, e.g.); conditioning theincentive upon compliance with a regimen that includes a nitric oxidedonor component (as another bioactive material component, e.g., such asby operation 2313); conditioning the incentive upon an actuation in avessel (containing one or more bioactive material components, e.g., suchas by operation 2414); obtaining a pathology or other physical attributeof the individual (as a determinant affecting the incentive, e.g., suchas by operation 2517 or 2519); detecting whether data from one or moresensors indicate an actuation of a portion of the dispensing device (asthe indication of the dispensing device administering one or morebioactive materials to the individual, e.g., such as by operation 2311);receiving an indication from a test of a bodily fluid of the individualafter the dispensing device administers the bioactive material to theindividual (for tracking compliance with or results of a regimen, e.g.,such as by operation 2215); or deriving the incentive partly based on aspecific identifier of the bioactive material, partly based on acategory of the bioactive material, and partly based on the indicationof the dispensing device administering the bioactive material to theindividual (by operation 2212, e.g.).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1640 may include some or all ofdetermining the indication of the incentive in response to an indicationof a product attribute (as the category of the bioactive material, e.g.,such as by operation 2413); obtaining an indication of an inhalation ofthe bioactive material (with “an inhalant” or a specific materialconfigured to be inhaled as the category of the bioactive material,e.g., such as by operation 2612); receiving an indication of theincentive from a site that has apparently received a category of abioactive material and an indication of a dispensing deviceadministering the bioactive material to the individual (by operation2219, e.g.); obtaining an indication of when a vessel moved (byoperation 2613, e.g.); detecting a health status apparently resultingfrom the dispensing device (concurrently or otherwise) administering thebioactive material to the individual (by operation 2411, e.g.);determining the incentive to have a value partly based on a value of thebioactive material and partly based on a physical attribute of theindividual (by operation 2119, e.g.); obtaining a biometric measurementof the individual (as a determinant of the incentive or the indicationof the incentive; e.g., such as by operation 2511); or obtaining an ageof the individual (or other physical or other attribute of theindividual affecting the incentive or the indication of the incentive,e.g., such as by operation 2515).

Alternatively or additionally, operation 1640 may include some or all ofobtaining an indication that a vessel has been ingested (by operation2616, e.g.); detecting the dispensing device administering the bioactivematerial to the individual via injection (by operation 2418, e.g.);determining the incentive as a linear function of a value of thebioactive material (or of another therapeutic component describedherein, e.g., such as by operation 2316); obtaining a health status ofthe individual (by operation 2512, e.g.); obtaining a signal from acompliance-sensitive dispensing device as the dispensing device (byoperation 2214, e.g.); or obtaining a test result of a sample extractedfrom the individual (by operation 2617, e.g.).

In some variants, systems as describe above may include one or moreinstances of (a) circuitry for obtaining an indication of an incentiveto a provider of a therapeutic component at least partly based on anobjective indication that the therapeutic component has beenadministered to a portion of an individual; (b) circuitry for obtainingan indication of an incentive partly based on a category of a bioactivematerial and partly based on an indication of a dispensing deviceadministering the bioactive material to an individual; (c) circuitry forobtaining an indication of an incentive to an individual partly based ona physical attribute of the individual and partly based on an indicationof a therapeutic component available to the individual; (d) circuitryfor transmitting the indication of the incentive to a putative providerof the therapeutic component; (e) circuitry for determining one or morecomponents of the incentive in response to one or more prior responsesfrom a recipient, such as by incrementing a quantitative attribute ofthe incentive; (f) circuitry for determining one or more components ofthe incentive in response to one or more prior responses from arecipient, such as by changing a type of the component of the incentive;(g) other such modules as described above, or combinations thereof. Insome contexts, one or more such modules may include or otherwise beconfigured to access (via a remote network 240 or a local source, e.g.)one or more media 150, 450 bearing data indicative of the bioactivematerial including an antihypertensive-material component (as a categoryof the bioactive material, e.g.), media 150, 450 bearing data indicativeof a preference of the individual (or other non-physical attribute ofthe individual affecting the incentive or the indication of theincentive, e.g.); media 150, 450 bearing data indicative of thetherapeutic component including a bioactive material configured fortopical application, media 150, 450 bearing data indicative of thetherapeutic component including a bioactive material configured fortopical application, or other media 150, 450 as described herein.

In some contexts, such systems may further include one or more instancesof (1) a bottle containing the therapeutic component, the bottle havinga retail price as the first value V1; (2) a capsule containing atargeted drug as the therapeutic component, the provider of thetherapeutic component comprising a pharmacist; (3) a device configuredto detect the therapeutic component being administered to a portion ofan individual or to signal an indication of a marking component as thefirst data indicating the therapeutic component; (4) a device includingadministration detection logic or other administration detectionfeatures; (5) a device configured to administer the therapeuticcomponent, such as a dispenser configured to administer the therapeuticcomponent to a portion of an individual; (6) a dispenser includingadministration detection logic and configured to administer thetherapeutic component, in which the therapeutic component includes abioactive material; (7) a display configured to transmit to the providerof the therapeutic component the indication of the incentive partlybased on the therapeutic component and partly based on the provider ofthe therapeutic component; (8) a printed medium bearing the indicationof the incentive partly based on the therapeutic component and partlybased on the provider of the therapeutic component; or (9) a vesselcontaining an inoculant or inhalant as the therapeutic component. Insome contexts, moreover, such vessels may (a) have an actuator, (b)contain the therapeutic component and bear the indication of theincentive partly based on the therapeutic component and partly based onthe provider of the therapeutic component; (c) include an administrationdetection feature configured to detect an indication of the therapeuticcomponent administered to a portion of the individual; (d) contain thetherapeutic component; (d) include a response unit containing one ormore material indications of the therapeutic component, (e) include anadministration device configured to administer a bioactive material, asthe therapeutic component, onto a portion of an individual; (f) includean administration device configured to administer a bioactive materialto an individual as the therapeutic component; or (g) a combination of(two or more of) the above.

In some variants, systems described herein may include or otherwiseinteract with a compliance-indicative device 190 that is (a) configuredto administer a bioactive material to the individual as the therapeuticcomponent; (b) configured to detect the indication of the therapeuticcomponent being administered to the portion of the individual; (c)configured to detect the therapeutic component being administered to aportion of the individual; (d) configured to generate and store theobjective indication that the therapeutic component has beenadministered to the portion of the individual; (e) configured toadminister the therapeutic component; (f) configured to administer atherapeutic component, the therapeutic component including a bioactivematerial; or (g) two or more of these. For example, the device may beconfigured to signal a presence of a marking component (a dye that wasmixed with a bioactive material before administration, e.g.) as anindication of a therapeutic component administered to a portion of theindividual.

In some systems described herein, one or more compliance-indicativedevices 190 may work in tandem with microphones or other sensors 1733,1734 capable of detecting an apparent administration (to a portion of anindividual, e.g.) of a therapeutic component (via recognizableattributes of a visual record 1736, an audio record 1737, or other datarecord 1735 from a sensor 1734 as an objective indication, e.g.) asdescribed above. This can occur, for example, in a context in which thevessel or other dispensing device is not integrally constructed withadministration detection features or in which such features are passive(labels, colorants, or other optically detectable features, e.g.). Somevariants may include one or more recording systems (a) configured toobtain a first auditory record as the indication of the therapeuticcomponent administered to the portion of the individual and a secondauditory record as an indication of the physical attribute of theindividual; (b) configured to obtain an auditory record as the objectiveindication that the therapeutic component has been administered to theportion of the individual; (c) configured to obtain an auditory record(a report of nausea from the individual or perhaps just a sample of theindividual's voice, e.g.) representative of the physical attribute (anauseated or hoarse condition, e.g.) of the individual; or (d) more thanone of the above. Alternatively or additionally, such systems mayinclude one or more cameras 1732 (a) configured to obtain a visualrecord as the indication of the dispensing device administering abioactive material to the individual; (b) configured to obtain a visualrecord of a portion of the individual as a physical attribute of theindividual; (c) configured to obtain a visual record as an objectiveindication that the therapeutic component has been administered (to theindividual for later use or to a portion of an individual, e.g.); or (d)more than one of the above. Alternatively or additionally, such systemsmay likewise include one or more sensors 1734 (a) configured to obtain abiometric measurement as the objective indication that the therapeuticcomponent has been administered to the portion of the individual; (b)configured to obtain a biometric measurement as a physical attribute ofthe individual; (c) configured to obtain a systemic measurement of theindividual as a physical attribute of the individual; or (d) more thanone of the above.

In some variants, systems described herein may include or otherwiseinteract with one or more dispensing devices (syringes, catheters, orother vessels 1790, e.g.) that may include one or more instances ofadministration detection logic (of a primary module 1710 or vessel 1790,e.g.) and may also be (1) configured to administer the therapeuticcomponent to a portion of the individual; (2) configured to administerthe therapeutic component, in which the therapeutic component includes abioactive material; (3) configured to administer the therapeuticcomponent, in which the therapeutic component includes a bioactivematerial; (4) configured to administer the therapeutic component, inwhich the therapeutic component includes a systemic antibiotic; (5)configured to administer the therapeutic component to the portion of theindividual, in which the therapeutic component includes a bioactivematerial; (6) configured to administer the therapeutic component to theportion of the individual; (7) configured to administer the therapeuticcomponent to the portion of the individual; (8) configured to obtain anindication of the dispensing device administering the therapeuticcomponent to the individual as the objective indication that thetherapeutic component has been administered to the portion of theindividual; or (9) otherwise configured for use by a program participant(individual 282, e.g.) or a generally unsophisticated provider. A bottle1783 or capsule 1784, for example, may contain a bioactive material thatincludes a liquid and also be configured to generate the objectiveindication that the therapeutic component has been administered to theportion of the individual. Alternatively or additionally, suchdispensing devices may have a label as an indication of a therapeuticcomponent suitable for administration by such less-sophisticatedparties.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for obtaining imaging or other measurement systems as describedherein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,308,292(“Optical-based sensing devices”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,305,262 (“Apparatusand method for acquiring oximetry and electrocardiogram signals”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,280,858 (“Pulse oximetry sensor”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,907(“Blood-pressure monitoring device featuring a calibration-basedanalysis”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,741 (“Body position and activitysensor”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,811 (“Substantive water-soluble cationicUV-absorbing compounds”); U.S. Publication No. 20030050542 (“Device forin-vivo measurement of the concentration of a substance contained in abody fluid”); U.S. Publication No. 20020016535 (“Subcutaneous glucosemeasurement device”) or U.S. Pat. No. 7,181,054 (“System for processingimage representative data”).

In some contexts, moreover, method embodiments described above mayinclude one or more instances of conditioning (some or all of) theincentive upon compliance with a regimen that includes astatin-containing material component as the therapeutic component (byoperation 2111, e.g.); conditioning the incentive upon compliance with aregimen that includes an antihypertensive material component as thetherapeutic component (by operation 2116, e.g.); conditioning theincentive upon compliance with a regimen that includes at least onerespiratory or physical therapy session as the therapeutic component (byoperation 2117, e.g.); determining the incentive to have the (second)value V2 partly based on the (first) value V1 of a therapeutic componentand partly based on a physical attribute of a putative recipient of thetherapeutic component (by operation 2119, e.g.); determining theincentive so that V2>V1; deriving the incentive partly based on aspecific identifier of a bioactive material, partly based on a categoryof the bioactive material, and partly based on an indication of adispensing device administering the bioactive material to an individualas the therapeutic component (by operation 2212, e.g.); obtaining asignal from a compliance-sensitive dispensing device as a dispensingdevice configured to administer a bioactive material to an individual asthe therapeutic component (by operation 2214, e.g.); receiving anindication from a test of a bodily fluid of an individual after adispensing device administers a bioactive material to the individual asthe therapeutic component (by operation 2215, e.g.); receiving anindication of the incentive from a site that has apparently received acategory of a bioactive material and an indication of a dispensingdevice administering the bioactive material to an individual as thetherapeutic component (by operation 2219, e.g.); detecting whether datafrom one or more sensors indicate an actuation of a portion of adispensing device (by operation 2311, e.g.); conditioning the incentiveupon compliance with a regimen that includes a nitric oxide donorcomponent as the therapeutic component (by operation 2313, e.g.);conditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimen that includesan antiviral component of the therapeutic component (by operation 2314,e.g.); determining the incentive as a linear function of a value of atherapeutic component (by operation 2316, e.g.); detecting a healthstatus apparently resulting from a dispensing device administering abioactive material to an individual as the therapeutic component (byoperation 2411, e.g.); conditioning the incentive upon an actuation in avessel (by operation 2414, e.g.); detecting a dispensing deviceadministering a bioactive material to an individual via injection as thetherapeutic component (by operation 2418, e.g.); obtaining a biometricmeasurement of an individual (by operation 2511, e.g.); obtaining ahealth status of an individual (by operation 2512, e.g.); obtaining agender of or age of an individual (by operation 2515, e.g.); obtainingan apparent pathology or other physical attribute of an individual (as adeterminant affecting the incentive or the indication of the incentive,such as by operation 2519, e.g.); obtaining an indication of aninhalation of a bioactive material (by operation 2612, e.g.); obtainingan indication of when a vessel moved (by operation 2613, e.g.);obtaining an indication that a vessel has been ingested (by operation2616, e.g.); or obtaining a test result of a sample extracted from anindividual (as a determinant affecting the incentive or the indicationof the incentive, e.g.); or in other combinations as described above.

With reference now to FIG. 27, shown is an example of a system that mayserve as a context for introducing one or more processes, systems orother articles described herein. Primary system 2700 may include one ormore instances of data outputs 2751-2756 or other implementations2701-2706 of machines, articles of manufacture, or compositions ofmatter that include circuitry or other logic as described herein.Implementations 2701-2706 may be held or transmitted by interfaces 2770,conduits 2786, storage devices 2787, memories 2788, other holdingdevices 2789, or other circuitry for handling data or software asdescribed herein. In various embodiments as described herein, forexample, one or more instances of implementation components 2711, 2712,2713, 2714, 2715, 2716, 2717, 2718, 2719, 2720, 2721, 2722, 2723 orimplementation output data 2731, 2732, 2733, 2734, 2735, 2736, 2737,2738, 2739, 2740, 2741, 2742 may each be expressed within any aspect orcombination of software, firmware, or hardware as signals, data,designs, logic, instructions, or the like. The interface(s) 2770 mayinclude one or more instances of lenses 2771, transmitters 2772,receivers 2773, integrated circuits 2774, antennas 2775, output devices2776, reflectors 2777, input devices 2778, or the like for handling dataor communicating with local users or with network 2790 via linkage 2750,for example. Several variants of primary system 2700 are described belowwith reference to one or more instances of repeaters 2791, communicationsatellites 2793, servers 2794, processors 2795, routers 2797, or otherelements of network 2790.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that some list items may alsofunction as other list items. In the above-listed types of media, forexample, some instances of interface(s) 2770 may include conduits 2786,or may also function as storage devices that are also holding devices2789. One or more transmitters 2772 may likewise include input devicesor bidirectional user interfaces, in many implementations ofinterface(s) 2770. Each such listed term should not be narrowed by anyimplication from other terms in the same list but should instead beunderstood in its broadest reasonable interpretation as understood bythose skilled in the art.

Several variants described herein refer to device-detectable“implementations” such as one or more instances of computer-readablecode, transistor or latch connectivity layouts or other geometricexpressions of logical elements, firmware or software expressions oftransfer functions implementing computational specifications, digitalexpressions of truth tables, or the like. Such instances can, in someimplementations, include source code or other human-readable portions.Alternatively or additionally, functions of implementations describedherein may constitute one or more device-detectable outputs such asdecisions, manifestations, side effects, results, coding or otherexpressions, displayable images, data files, data associations,statistical correlations, streaming signals, intensity levels,frequencies or other measurable attributes, packets or other encodedexpressions, or the like from invoking or monitoring the implementationas described herein.

Referring again to FIG. 11, flow 1100 may be performed by one or moreinstances of server 2794 remote from primary system 2700, for example,but operable to cause output device(s) 2776 to receive and to presentresults via linkage 2750. Alternatively or additionally,device-detectable data 2731 may be borne by one or more instances ofintegrated circuits 2774, signal-bearing conduits 2786, holding devices2789, or the like as described herein. Such data may optionally beconfigured for transmission (in operation 1150, e.g.) by a semiconductorchip or other embodiment of integrated circuit 2774 that contains or isotherwise operatively coupled with antenna 2775 (in a radio-frequencyidentification tag, for example).

In some variants, one or more instances of flow 1100 may be implementedentirely within primary system 2700, optionally configured as astand-alone system. Operation 1120 may be implemented by configuringcomponent 2711 as logic for obtaining an indication of an incentive toan individual partly based on a physical attribute of the individual andpartly based on an indication of a therapeutic component available tothe individual, for example. This can be accomplished by includingspecial-purpose instruction sequences or special-purpose-circuit designsfor this function, for example, in optical or other known circuitfabrication operations, in programming by various known voltagemodulation techniques, or otherwise as described herein or known bythose skilled in the art. Output data 2731 from such a component inprimary system 2700 or network 2790 may be recorded by writing to orotherwise configuring available portions of storage device(s) 2787.

Alternatively or additionally, such specific output data may betransmitted by configuring transistors, relays, or other drivers orconduits 2786 of primary system 2700 to transfer it to component 2712,for example. Component 2712 may perform operation 1150 viaimplementation as logic for transmitting the indication of the incentiveto the individual to a putative provider of the therapeutic component.(In some contexts, a “putative provider of the therapeutic component”includes an entity who is, was, or will be providing the therapeuticcomponent or who is indicated as possibly being able or authorized toprovide the therapeutic component—optionally subject to confirmation orother further screening) Implementation output data 2732 from such acomponent in primary system 2700 or network 2790 may be recorded intoavailable portions of storage device(s) 2787 or sent to processor 2795for execution, for example. Each portion of implementation 2701 maylikewise include one or more instances of software, hardware, or thelike implementing logic that may be expressed in several respectiveforms as described herein or otherwise understood by those skilled inthe art.

Referring again to FIG. 12, some instance of flow 1200 may likewise beimplemented (optionally) entirely within primary system 2700. Operation1230 may be implemented by configuring component 2713 as logic forassigning (a component of) an incentive to an individual partly based onan indication of a therapeutic component administered to a portion ofthe individual and partly based on a profile of the individual, forexample, such as by including special-purpose instruction sequences orspecial-purpose-circuit designs for this function. This can occur, forexample, in a context in which component 2713 implements response unit580 and incentive determination unit 350; in which one or more of ages581, genders 582, or other such demographic or other attributes 320 ofthe individual(s) or other recipient(s) are used as determinants 330affecting which (incentive) component type is selected and what quantityof resources will be apportioned for use as the incentive. Output data2733 from such a component in primary system 2700 or network 2790 may berecorded into available portions of storage device(s) 2787 or sent tocomponent 2714, for example. Component 2714 may perform operation 1260via implementation as logic for transmitting a result of assigning anincentive, for example. (In some contexts, for example, a “result” ofsuch an assignment may include an acceptance, a transfer notification,an inventory adjustment, or other such manifestations of or relating toa resource transfer.) Implementation output data 2734 from such acomponent in primary system 2700 or network 2790 may be recorded intoavailable portions of one or more memories 2788 or sent to processor2795, for example. Each portion of implementation 2702 may likewiseinclude one or more instances of software, hardware, or the likeimplementing logic that may be expressed in several respective forms asdescribed herein or otherwise understood by those skilled in the art.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for requesting or otherwise receiving demographic parameters,event data, or other data via an interface with subjects as describedherein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,666(“System and methods for monitoring a patient's heart condition”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,968,375 (“Networked system for interactive communication andremote monitoring of individuals”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,668 (“System andmethod for analyzing normalized patient voice feedback in an automatedcollection and analysis patient care system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,396(“Wireless internet bio-telemetry monitoring system and interface”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,755,783 (“Apparatus and method for two-way communicationin a device for monitoring and communicating wellness parameters ofambulatory patients”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,737 (“System and method foranalyzing normalized patient voice feedback an automated collection andanalysis patient care system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,563 (“Remote healthmonitoring and maintenance system”).

Referring again to FIG. 13, some instances of flow 1300 (optionally) maybe implemented entirely within primary system 2700. Operation 1350 maybe implemented by configuring component 2715 as logic for obtaining anindication of an incentive to an individual partly based on anindication of a health status apparently resulting from a bioactivematerial administered to the individual and partly based on a profile ofthe individual, for example, such as by including special-purposeinstruction sequences or special-purpose-circuit designs for thisfunction. Output data 2735 from such a component in primary system 2700or network 2790 may be recorded into available portions of storagedevice(s) 2787 or sent to component 2716, for example. Component 2716may perform operation 1380 via implementation as logic for transmittingan indication of the incentive, for example. Implementation output data2736 from such a component in primary system 2700 or network 2790 may berecorded into available portions of storage device(s) 2787 or sent to anoutput device (a display 761 or speaker 762, e.g.), for example. Eachportion of implementation 2703 may likewise include one or moreinstances of software, hardware, or the like implementing logic that maybe expressed in several respective forms as described herein orotherwise understood by those skilled in the art.

Referring again to FIG. 14, some instances of flow 1400 (optionally) maybe implemented entirely within primary system 2700. Operation 1430 maybe implemented by configuring component 2717 as logic for obtainingfirst data indicating a therapeutic component having a first value V1,for example, such as by including special-purpose instruction sequencesor special-purpose-circuit designs for this function. Operation 1440 maylikewise be implemented by configuring component 2718 as logic forobtaining an indication of an incentive having a second value V2>V1 andpartly based on the therapeutic component and partly based on a providerof the therapeutic component. Output data 2737 from (combined)components 2717, 2718 in primary system 2700 or network 2790 may berecorded into available portions of storage device(s) 2787 or sent tocomponent 2719, for example. Component 2719 may perform operation 1460via implementation as logic for transmitting the indication of theincentive partly based on the therapeutic component and partly based onthe provider of the therapeutic component, for example. Implementationoutput data 2738 from such a component in primary system 2700 or network2790 may be recorded into available portions of storage device(s) 2787or sent to processor 2795, for example. Each portion of implementation2704 may likewise include one or more instances of software, hardware,or the like implementing logic that may be expressed in severalrespective forms as described herein or otherwise understood by thoseskilled in the art.

Referring again to FIG. 15, some instances of flow 1500 (optionally) maybe implemented entirely within primary system 2700. Operation 1520 maybe implemented by configuring component 2720 as logic for obtaining anindication of an incentive to a provider of a therapeutic component andat least partly based on an objective indication that the therapeuticcomponent has been administered to a portion of an individual, forexample, such as by including special-purpose instruction sequences orspecial-purpose-circuit designs for this function. Output data 2739 fromsuch a component in primary system 2700 or network 2790 may be recordedinto available portions of holding device(s) 2789 or sent to component2721, for example. Component 2721 may perform operation 1570 viaimplementation as logic for the indication of the incentive to theprovider of the therapeutic component in a message to be transmitted,for example. Implementation output data 2740 from such a component inprimary system 2700 or network 2790 may be recorded into availableportions of storage device(s) 2787 or sent to an output device (adisplay 761 or speaker 762, e.g.), for example. Each portion ofimplementation 2705 may likewise include one or more instances ofsoftware, hardware, or the like implementing logic that may be expressedin several respective forms as described herein or otherwise understoodby those skilled in the art.

Referring again to FIG. 16, some instances of flow 1600 (optionally) maybe implemented entirely within primary system 2700. Operation 1640 maybe implemented by configuring component 2722 as logic for selecting anindication of an incentive partly based on a category of a therapeuticmaterial and partly based on an indication of a dispensing deviceadministering the therapeutic material to an individual, for example,such as by including special-purpose instruction sequences orspecial-purpose-circuit designs for this function. Output data 2741 fromsuch a component in primary system 2700 or network 2790 may be recordedinto available portions of storage device(s) 2787 or sent to component2723, for example. Component 2723 may perform operation 1680 viaimplementation as logic for transmitting the indication of the incentiveresponsive to the circuitry for selecting the indication of theincentive partly based on the category of the therapeutic material andpartly based on the indication of the dispensing device administeringthe therapeutic material to the individual, for example. Implementationoutput data 2742 from such a component in primary system 2700 or network2790 may be recorded into available portions of storage device(s) 2787or sent to processor 2795, for example. Each portion of implementation2706 may likewise include one or more instances of software, hardware,or the like implementing logic that may be expressed in severalrespective forms as described herein or otherwise understood by thoseskilled in the art.

In some embodiments, output device 2776 may indicate an occurrence offlow 1100 concisely as a decision, an evaluation, an effect, anhypothesis, a probability, a notification, or some other usefultechnical result. For example, such “indicating” may comprise such modesas showing, signifying, acknowledging, updating, explaining,associating, or the like in relation to any past or ongoing performanceof such actions upon the common item(s) as recited. Such indicating mayalso provide one or more specifics about the occurrence: the parties ordevice(s) involved, a description of the method or performance modesused, any sequencing or other temporal aspects involved, indications ofresources used, location(s) of the occurrence, implementation versionindications or other update-indicative information, or any other suchcontextual information that may be worthwhile to provide at potentialoutput destinations.

Concise indication may occur, for example, in a context in which atleast some items of data 2731-2742 do not matter, or in which arecipient may understand or access portions of data 2731-2742 withoutreceiving a preemptive explanation of how it was obtained. By distillingone or more outputs 2751, 2752, 2753, 2754, 2755, 2756 at an “upstream”stage (which may comprise integrated circuit 2774, for example, in somearrangements), downstream-stage media (such as other elements of network2790, for example) may indicate occurrences of various methods describedherein more effectively. Variants of flow 1100, for example, may beenhanced by distillations described herein; especially inbandwidth-limited transmissions, security-encoded messages,long-distance transmissions, complex images, or compositions of matterbearing other such expressions.

In some variants, a local implementation comprises a service operablefor accessing a remote system running a remote implementation. In someembodiments, such “accessing” may include one or more instances ofestablishing or permitting an interaction between the server and a localembodiment such that the local embodiment causes or uses anotherimplementation or output of one or more herein-described functions atthe server. Functioning as a web browser, remote terminal session, orother remote activation or control device, for example, interface(s)2770 may interact with one or more primary system users via input andoutput devices 2776, 2778 so as to manifest an implementation in primarysystem 2700 via an interaction with server 2794, for example, running asecondary implementation of flow 1100. Such local implementations maycomprise a visual display supporting a local internet service to theremote server, for example. Such a remote server may control orotherwise enable one or more instances of hardware or software operatingthe secondary implementation outside a system, network, or physicalproximity of primary system 2700. For a building implementing primarysystem 2700, for example, “remote” devices may include those in othercountries, in orbit, or in adjacent buildings. In some embodiments,“running an implementation” may include invoking one or more instancesof software, hardware, firmware, or the like atypically constituted oradapted to facilitate methods or functions as described herein. Forexample, primary system 2700 running an implementation of flow 1100 maybe a remote activation of a special-purpose computer program resident onserver 2794 via an internet browser session interaction through linkage2750, mediated by input device 2778 and output device 2776.

In some variants, some or all of components 2711-2723 may be borne invarious data-handling elements—e.g., in one or more instances of storagedevices 2787, in memories 2788 or volatile media, passing throughlinkage 2750 with network 2790 or other conduits 2786, in one or moreregisters or data-holding devices 2789, or the like. For example, suchprocessing or configuration may occur in response to user data or thelike received at input device 2778 or may be presented at output device2776. Instances of input devices 2778 may (optionally) include one ormore instances of cameras or other optical devices, hand-held systems orother portable systems, keypads, sensors, or the like as describedherein. Output device(s) 2776 may likewise include one or more instancesof image projection modules, touch screens, wrist-wearable systems orthe like adapted to be worn while in use, headphones and speakers,eyewear, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), actuators, lasers, organic orother light-emitting diodes, phosphorescent elements, portions of(hybrid) input devices 2778, or the like.

A device-detectable implementation of variants described herein withreference to flows depicted in FIGS. 11-16, for example, may be dividedinto several components 2711-2723 carried by one or more instances ofactive modules such as signal repeaters 2791, communication satellites2793, servers 2794, processors 2795, routers 2797, or the like. Forexample, in some embodiments, component 2712 may be borne by an“upstream” module (e.g., repeater 2791 or the like) while or aftercomponent 2711 is borne in a “downstream” module (e.g., another instanceof repeater 2791, communication satellite 2793, server 2794, or thelike). Such downstream modules may “accept” such bits or other portionsof implementation 2702 or implementation 2701 sequentially, for example,such as by amplifying, relaying, storing, checking, or otherwiseprocessing what was received actively. Sensors and other “upstream”modules may likewise “accept” raw data, such as by measuring physicalphenomena or accessing one or more databases.

In some embodiments, a medium bearing data (or other such event) may be“caused (directly or indirectly) by one or more instances of prior orcontemporaneous measurements, decisions, transitions, circumstances, orother causal determinants. Any such event may likewise depend upon oneor more other prior, contemporaneous, or potential determinants, invarious implementations as taught herein. In other words, such eventsmay occur “in response” to both preparatory (earlier) events andtriggering (contemporaneous) events in some contexts.

In some embodiments, such integrated circuits 2774 may comprisetransistors, capacitors, amplifiers, latches, converters, or the like ona common substrate of a semiconductor material, operable to performcomputational tasks or other transformations. An integrated circuit maybe application-specific (“ASIC”) in that it is designed for a particularuse rather than for general purpose use. An integrated circuit maylikewise include one or more instances of memory circuits, processors,field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA's), antennas, or other components,and may be referred to as a system-on-a-chip (“SoC”).

In some embodiments, one or more instances of integrated circuits orother processors may be configured to perform auditory patternrecognition. In FIG. 27, for example, instances of the one or more inputdevices 2778 may include a microphone or the like operable to provideauditory samples in data 2731-2742. Some form or portion of such outputmay be provided remotely, for example, to one or more instances ofneural networks or other configurations of remote processors 2795operable to perform automatic or supervised speech recognition,selective auditory data retention or transmission, or other auditorypattern recognition, upon the samples. Alternatively or additionallysuch sound-related data may include annotative information relatingthereto such as a capture time or other temporal indications, capturelocation or other source information, language or other contentindications, decibels or other measured quantities, pointers to relateddata items or other associative indications, or other data aggregationsor distillations as described herein.

In some embodiments, one or more instances of integrated circuits orother processors may be configured for optical image patternrecognition. In FIG. 27, for example, instances of lenses 2771 or otherinput devices 2778 may include optical sensors or the like operable toprovide one or more of geometric, hue, or optical intensity informationin data 2731-2742. Some form or portion of such output may be providedlocally, for example, to one or more instances of optical characterrecognition software, pattern recognition processing resources, or otherconfigurations of integrated circuits 2774 operable to perform automaticor supervised image recognition, selective optical data retention ortransmission, or the like. Alternatively or additionally suchimage-related data may include annotative information relating theretosuch as a capture time or other temporal indications, capture locationor other source information, language or other content indications,pointers to related data items or other associative indications, orother data aggregations or distillations as described herein.

In some embodiments, one or more instances of integrated circuits orother processors may be configured to perform linguistic patternrecognition. In FIG. 28, for example, instances of input devices 2778may include keys, pointing devices, microphones, sensors, referencedata, or the like operable to provide spoken, written, or other symbolicexpressions in data 2731-2742. Some form or portion of such output maybe provided locally, for example, to one or more instances oftranslation utilities, compilers, or other configurations of integratedcircuits 2774 operable to perform automatic or supervised programming orother language recognition, selective linguistic data retention ortransmission, or the like. Alternatively or additionally suchlanguage-related data may include annotative information relatingthereto such as a capture time or other temporal indications, capturelocation or other source information, language or other contentindications, pointers to related data items or other associativeindications, or other data classifications, aggregations, ordistillations as described herein.

In some embodiments, one or more antennas 2775 or receivers 2773 mayinclude a device that is the receiving end of a communication channel asdescribed herein. For example, such a receiver may gather a signal froma dedicated conduit or from the environment for subsequent processingand/or retransmission. As a further example, such antennas or otherreceivers may include one or more instances of wireless antennas, radioantennas, satellite antennas, broadband receivers, digital subscriberline (DSL) receivers, modem receivers, transceivers, or configurationsof two or more such devices for data reception as described herein orotherwise known.

In one variant, two or more respective portions of output data 2731-2742may be sent from server 2794 through respective channels at varioustimes, one portion passing through repeater 2791 and another throughrouter 2797. Such channels may each bear a respective portion of a dataaggregation or extraction, a publication, a comparative analysis ordecision, a record selection, digital subscriber content, statistics orother research information, a resource status or potential allocation,an evaluation, an opportunity indication, a test or computationalresult, or some other output 2701-2706 of possible interest. Suchdistributed media may be implemented as an expedient or efficient modeof bearing such portions of output data to a common destination such asinterface 2770 or holding device 2789. Alternatively or additionally,some such data may be transported by moving a medium (carried on storagedevice 2787, for example) so that only a small portion (a purchase orother access authorization, for example, or a contingent or supplementalmodule) is transferred via linkage 2750.

In some embodiments, one or more instances of signal repeaters 2791 mayinclude a device or functional implementation that receives a signal andtransmits some or all of the signal with one or more of an alteredstrength or frequency, or with other modulation (e.g., anoptical-electrical-optical amplification device, a radio signalamplifier or format converter, a wireless signal amplifier, or thelike). A repeater may convert analog to digital signals or digital toanalog signals, for example, or perform no conversion. Alternatively oradditionally, a repeater may reshape, retime or otherwise reorder anoutput for transmission. A repeater may likewise introduce a frequencyoffset to an output signal such that the received and transmittedfrequencies are different. A repeater also may include one or moreinstances of a relay, a translator, a transponder, a transceiver, anactive hub, a booster, a noise-attenuating filter, or the like.

In some embodiments, such communication satellite(s) 2793 may beconfigured to facilitate telecommunications while in a geosynchronousorbit, a Molniya orbit, a low earth orbit, or the like. Alternatively oradditionally, a communication satellite may receive or transmit, forexample, telephony signals, television signals, radio signals, broadbandtelecommunications signals, or the like.

In some variants, processor 2795 or any components 2711-2723 ofimplementations 2701-2706 may (optionally) be configured to perform flowvariants as described herein with reference to FIGS. 11-16. Anoccurrence of such a variant can be expressed as a computation, atransition, or as one or more other items of data 2731-2742 describedherein. Such output 2751-2756 can be generated, for example, by depictedcomponents of primary system 2700 or network 2790 including one or morefeatures as described with reference to FIGS. 5-10.

With reference now to FIG. 28, shown is an example of another systemthat may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes,systems or other articles described herein. As shown system 2800comprises one or more instances of writers 2801, processors 2803,controls 2805, software or other implementations 2807, invokers 2812,compilers 2814, outputs 2816, coding modules 2818, or the like with oneor more media 2890 bearing expressions or outputs thereof. In someembodiments, such media may include distributed media bearing a dividedor otherwise distributed implementation or output. For example, in someembodiments, such media may include two or more physically distinctsolid-state memories, two or more transmission media, a combination ofsuch transmission media with one or more data-holding media configuredas a data source or destination, or the like.

In some embodiments, transmission media may be “configured” to bear anoutput or implementation (a) by causing a channel in a medium to conveya portion thereof or (b) by constituting, adapting, addressing, orotherwise linking to such media in some other mode that depends upon oneor more atypical traits of the partial or whole output orimplementation. Data-holding elements of media may likewise be“configured” to bear an output or implementation portion (a) by holdingthe portion in a storage or memory location or (b) by constituting,adapting, addressing, or otherwise linking to such media in some othermode that depends upon one or more atypical traits of the partial orwhole output or implementation. Such atypical traits may include a name,address, portion identifier, functional description, or the likesufficient to distinguish the output, implementation, or portion from ageneric object.

In some embodiments described herein, “logic” and similarimplementations can include software or other control structuresoperable to guide device operation. Electronic circuitry, for example,can manifest one or more paths of electrical current constructed andarranged to implement various logic functions as described herein. Insome embodiments, one or more media are “configured to bear” adevice-detectable implementation if such media hold or transmit aspecial-purpose device instruction set operable to perform a novelmethod as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, in somevariants, an implementation may include special-purpose hardware orfirmware components or general-purpose components executing or otherwiseinvoking special-purpose components. Specifications or otherimplementations may be transmitted by one or more instances oftransmission media as described herein, optionally by packettransmission or otherwise by passing through distributed media atvarious times.

In some embodiments, one or more of the coding modules 2818 may beconfigured with circuitry for applying, imposing, or otherwise using asyntactic or other encoding constraint in forming, extracting, orotherwise handling respective portions of the device-detectableimplementation or output. In encoding a software module or other messagecontent, for example, compiler 2814 or coding module 2818 may implementone or more such constraints pursuant to public key or other encryption,applying error correction modes, certifying or otherwise annotating themessage content, or implementing other security practices describedherein or known by those skilled in the art. Alternatively oradditionally, another instance of coding module 2818 may be configuredto receive data (via receiver 2773, e.g.) and decode or otherwisedistill the received data using one or more such encoding constraints.Compiler 2814 may, in some variants, convert one or more of components2711-2723 from a corresponding source code form before the component(s)are transmitted across linkage 2750.

System 2800 may be implemented, for example, as one or more instances ofstand-alone workstations, servers, vehicles, portable devices, removablemedia 2820, as components of primary system 2700 or network 2790 (ofFIG. 27), or the like. Alternatively or additionally, media 2890 mayinclude one or more instances of signal repeaters 2791, communicationsatellites 2793, servers 2794, processors 2795, routers 2797, portionsof primary system 2700 as shown, or the like.

Media 2890 may include one or more instances of removable media 2820,tapes or other storage media 2826; parallel (transmission) media 2830;disks 2844; memories 2846; other data-handling media 2850; serial media2860; interfaces 2870; or expressions 2889, 2899. Removable media 2820can bear one or more device-detectable instances of instructionsequences 2822 or other implementations of flow 1100 or flow 1200, forexample. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, removablemedia 2820 can bear alphanumeric data, audio data, image data,structure-descriptive values, or other content 2824 in a context thatindicates an occurrence of one or more flows shown in FIGS. 11-16. Insome circumstances, transmission media may bear respective portions ofimplementations as described herein serially or otherwisenon-simultaneously. In some variants in which two portions 2897, 2898constitute a partial or complete software implementation or product of anovel method described herein, portion 2897 may follow portion 2898successively through serial media 2863, 2865, 2867 (with transmission ofportion 2897 partly overlapping in time with transmission of portion2898 passing through medium 2863, for example). As shown, parallelchannels 2831, 2832 are respectively implemented at least in media 2837,2838 of a bus or otherwise effectively in isolation from one another. Insome embodiments, a bus may be a system of two or more signal paths—notunified by a nominally ideal conduction path between them—configured totransfer data between or among internal or external computer components.For example, one data channel may include a power line (e.g., as medium2865) operable for transmitting content of the device-detectableimplementation as described herein between two taps or other terminals(e.g., as media 2863, 2867 comprising a source and destination). Inanother such configuration, one or more media 2837 of channel 2831 maybear portion 2897 before, while or after one or more other media 2838 ofparallel channel 2832 bear portion 2898. In some embodiments, such aprocess may occur “while” another process occurs if they coincide orotherwise overlap in time substantially (by several clock cycles, forexample). In some embodiments, such a process may occur “after” an eventif any instance of the process begins after any instance of the eventconcludes, irrespective of other instances overlapping or the like.

In a variant in which a channel through medium 2850 bears an expression2855 partially implementing an operational flow described herein, theremainder of the implementation may be borne (earlier or later, in someinstances) by the same medium 2850 or by one or more other portions ofmedia 2890 as shown. In some embodiments, moreover, one or more controls2805 may configure at least some media 2890 by triggering transmissionsas described above or transmissions of one or more outputs 2816 thereof.

In some embodiments, the one or more “physical media” may include one ormore instances of conduits, layers, networks, static storagecompositions, or other homogenous or polymorphic structures orcompositions suitable for bearing signals. In some embodiments, such a“communication channel” in physical media may include a signal pathbetween two transceivers or the like. A “remainder” of the media mayinclude other signal paths intersecting the communication channel orother media as described herein. In some variants, another exemplarysystem comprises one or more physical media 2890 constructed andarranged to receive a special-purpose sequence 2882 of two or moredevice-detectable instructions 2884 for implementing a flow as describedherein or to receive an output of executing such instructions. Physicalmedia 2890 may (optionally) be configured by writer 2801, transmitter2772, or the like.

In some embodiments, such a “special-purpose” instruction sequence mayinclude any ordered set of two or more instructions directly orindirectly operable for causing multi-purpose hardware or software toperform one or more methods or functions described herein: source code,macro code, controller or other machine code, or the like. In someembodiments, an implementation may include one or more instances ofspecial-purpose sequences 2882 of instructions 2884, patches or otherimplementation updates 2888, configurations 2894, special-purposecircuit designs 2893, or the like. Such “designs,” for example, mayinclude one or more instances of a mask set definition, a connectivitylayout of one or more gates or other logic elements, anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a multivariate transferfunction, or the like.

Segments of such implementations or their outputs may (optionally) bemanifested one or more information-bearing static attributes, comprisingthe device-detectable implementation. Such attributes may, in someembodiments, comprise a concentration or other layout attribute ofmagnetic or charge-bearing elements, visible or other optical elements,or other particles in or on a liquid crystal display or othersolid-containing medium. Solid state data storage modules or other suchstatic media may further comprise one or more instances of lasermarkings, barcodes, human-readable identifiers, or the like, such as toindicate one or more attributes of the device-detectable implementation.Alternatively or additionally such solid state or other solid-containingmedia may include one or more instances of semiconductor devices orother circuitry, magnetic or optical digital storage disks, dynamic orflash random access memories (RAMs), or the like. Magnetoresistive RAMsmay bear larger implementation or output portions or aggregations safelyand efficiently, moreover, and without any need for motors or the likefor positioning the storage medium.

Segments of such implementations or their outputs may likewise bemanifested in electromagnetic signals 2886, laser or other opticalsignals 2891, electrical signals 2892, or the like. In some embodiments,for example, such electrical or electromagnetic signals may include oneor more instances of static or variable voltage levels or other analogvalues, radio frequency transmissions or the like. In some embodiments,the above-mentioned “optical” signals may likewise include one or moreinstances of time- or position-dependent, device-detectable variationsin hue, intensity, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, portionsof such implementations or their outputs may manifest as one or moreinstances of magnetic, magneto-optic, electrostatic, or other physicalconfigurations 2828 of nonvolatile storage media 2826 or as externalimplementation access services 2872.

In some embodiments, physical media can be configured by being “operatedto bear” or “operated upon to bear” a signal. For example, they mayinclude physical media that generate, transmit, conduct, receive, orotherwise convey or store a device-detectable implementation or outputas described herein. Such conveyance or storing of a device-detectableimplementation or output may be carried out in a distributed fashion atvarious times or locations, or such conveyance or storing of adevice-detectable implementation or output may be done at one locationor time. As discussed above, such physical media “operated to bear” or“operated upon to bear” may include physical media that are atypicallyconstituted or adapted to facilitate methods or functions as describedherein.

In some configurations, one or more output devices 2776 may present oneor more results of transmitting the indication of the incentive to theindividual to a putative provider of the therapeutic component inresponse to interface(s) 2770 receiving one or more invocations oroutputs of an implementation of this function via linkage 2750. Such an“invocation” may, in some embodiments, comprise one or more instances ofrequests, hardware or software activations, user actions, or otherdeterminants as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, in someembodiments, one or more input devices 2778 may later receive one ormore invocations or results of transmitting the indication of theincentive to the individual to a putative provider of the therapeuticcomponent. In contexts like these, processor 2795 or other components ofnetwork 2790 may likewise constitute a secondary implementation havingaccess to a primary instance of interface 2770 implementing methods likeflow 1100 as described herein.

Serial media 2860 comprises a communication channel of two or more mediaconfigured to bear a transition or other output increment successively.In some embodiments, for example, serial media 2860 may include acommunication line or wireless medium (e.g., as medium 2865) between twosignal-bearing conduits (e.g., terminals or antennas as media 2863,2867). Alternatively or additionally, one or more lenses 2771 or otherlight-transmissive media may comprise a serial medium between alight-transmissive medium and a sensor or other light receiver 2773 ortransmitter 2772. In some embodiments, such “light-transmissive” mediamay (optionally) comprise metamaterials or other media operable forbearing one or more instances of microwave signals, radiowave signals,visible light signals, or the like.

In some embodiments, such a lens may be an optical element that causeslight to converge or diverge along one or more signal paths. Such alight-transmissive medium may include a signal-bearing conduit, glass,or other physical medium through which an optical signal may travel.More generally, a signal-bearing conduit may be an electrical wire, atelecommunications cable, a fiber-optic cable, or a mechanical couplingor other path for the conveyance of analog or digital signals.

Alternatively or additionally, system 2800 may likewise include one ormore instances of media for handling implementations or their outputs:satellite dishes or other reflectors 2777, antennas 2775 or othertransducers 2875, arrays of two or more such devices configured todetect or redirect one or more incoming signals, caching elements orother data-holding elements (e.g., disks 2844, memories 2846, or othermedia 2890), integrated circuits 2774, or the like. In some variants,one or more media may be.

“configured” to bear a device-detectable implementation as describedherein by being constituted or otherwise specially adapted for that typeof implementation at one or more respective times, overlapping orotherwise. Such “signal-bearing” media may include those configured tobear one or more such signals at various times as well as thosecurrently bearing them.

In some embodiments, such caching elements may comprise a circuit ordevice configured to store data that duplicates original values storedelsewhere or computed earlier in time. For example, a caching elementmay be a temporary storage area where frequently-accessed data may beheld for rapid access by a computing system. A caching element likewisemay be machine-readable memory (including computer-readable media suchas random access memory or data disks). In some embodiments, suchcaching elements may likewise comprise a latching circuit or deviceconfigured to store data that has been modified from original valuesassociated with the data (held elsewhere or computed earlier in time,for example).

In one variant, respective portions 2895, 2896 of an expression 2899 ofimplementation 2807 may be sent through respective channels at varioustimes. Invoker 2812 may request or otherwise attempt to activate acomputer program or streaming media overseas via a telephone cable orother channel 2831. Meanwhile, output 2816 may attempt to trigger asession or other partial implementation 2852, success in which may beindicated by receiving expression 2855 into a visual display or othermedium 2850. Such a program or other implementation may be madecomplete, for example, once both of these attempts succeed.

In some embodiments, transducer(s) 2875 may comprise one or more devicesthat convert a signal from one form to another form. For example, atransducer may be a cathode ray tube that transforms electrical signalsinto visual signals. Another example of a transducer comprises amicroelectromechanical systems (“MEMS”) device, which may be configuredto convert mechanical signals into electrical signals (or vice versa).

Some or all of the embodiments described herein may generally comprisetechnologies for handling one or more bioactive agents and/or carriersin releasable module form, via a liquid-bearing conduit, in a mist orother spray form, in a pumped or other pressurized form, or otherwiseaccording to technologies described herein. In a general sense, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the various aspects describedherein which can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by awide range of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereofcan be viewed as being composed of various types of “electricalcircuitry.” Consequently, as used herein “electrical circuitry”includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at leastone discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at leastone integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming ageneral purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g.,a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which atleast partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein,or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at leastpartially carries out processes and/or devices described herein),electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of randomaccess memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communicationsdevice (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electricalequipment). Those having skill in the art will recognize that thesubject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog ordigital fashion or some combination thereof.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by those within the art that each function and/or operationwithin such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment,several portions of the subject matter described herein may beimplemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), orother integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art willrecognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, inwhole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integratedcircuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or morecomputers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computersystems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors(e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors),as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designingthe circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmwarewould be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light ofthis disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capableof being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, andthat an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described hereinapplies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium usedto actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearingmedium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable typemedium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), aDigital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and atransmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analogcommunication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wiredcommunications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter,receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.).

One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein describedcomponents (e.g., operations), devices, objects, and the discussionaccompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptualclarity and that various configuration modifications are contemplated.Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and theaccompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their moregeneral classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended tobe representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of specificcomponents (e.g., operations), devices, and objects should not be takenlimiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures may beimplemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or“operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents, and/or wirelessly interactable, and/or wirelesslyinteracting components, and/or logically interacting, and/or logicallyinteractable components.

In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as“configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,”“adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that “configured to” can generallyencompass active-state components and/or inactive-state componentsand/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to claims containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “Aor B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A”or “B” or “A and B.”

Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the artto implement devices and/or processes and/or systems, and thereafter useengineering and/or other practices to integrate such implemented devicesand/or processes and/or systems into more comprehensive devices and/orprocesses and/or systems. That is, at least a portion of the devicesand/or processes and/or systems described herein can be integrated intoother devices and/or processes and/or systems via a reasonable amount ofexperimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize thatexamples of such other devices and/or processes and/or systems mightinclude—as appropriate to context and application—all or part of devicesand/or processes and/or systems of (a) an air conveyance (e.g., anairplane, rocket, helicopter, etc.), (b) a ground conveyance (e.g., acar, truck, locomotive, tank, armored personnel carrier, etc.), (c) abuilding (e.g., a home, warehouse, office, etc.), (d) an appliance(e.g., a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, etc.), (e) acommunications system (e.g., a networked system, a telephone system, aVoice over IP system, etc.), (f) a business entity (e.g., an InternetService Provider (ISP) entity such as Comcast Cable, Qwest, SouthwesternBell, etc.), or (g) a wired/wireless services entity (e.g., Sprint,Cingular, Nextel, etc.), etc.

In certain cases, use of a system or method may occur in a territoryeven if components are located outside the territory. For example, in adistributed computing context, use of a distributed computing system mayoccur in a territory even though parts of the system may be locatedoutside of the territory (e.g., relay, server, processor, signal-bearingmedium, transmitting computer, receiving computer, etc. located outsidethe territory).

A sale of a system or method may likewise occur in a territory even ifcomponents of the system or method are located and/or used outside theterritory. Further, implementation of at least part of a system forperforming a method in one territory does not preclude use of the systemin another territory.

With respect to the numbered clauses and claims expressed below, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein maygenerally be performed in any order. Also, although various operationalflows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that thevarious operations may be performed in other orders than those which areillustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of suchalternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted,reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous,reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise.Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or otherpast-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude suchvariants, unless context dictates otherwise. Also in the numberedclauses below, specific combinations of aspects and embodiments arearticulated in a shorthand form such that (1) according to respectiveembodiments, for each instance in which a “component” or other suchidentifiers appear to be introduced (with “a” or “an,” e.g.) more thanonce in a given chain of clauses, such designations may either identifythe same entity or distinct entities; and (2) what might be called“dependent” clauses below may or may not incorporate, in respectiveembodiments, the features of “independent” clauses to which they referor other features described above.

Clauses

1. (Independent) A resource apportionment system comprising:circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to an individualpartly based on an indication of a therapeutic component administered toa portion of the individual and partly based on a profile of theindividual; andcircuitry for transmitting a result of assigning the component of theincentive to the individual.2. The resource apportionment system of CLAUSE 1, further comprising:the therapeutic component, being a bioactive material.3. The resource apportionment system of CLAUSE 1, further comprising:the therapeutic component, being a placebo.4. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES, inwhich the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for conditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimenthat includes a plasma lipid-modifying material component as thetherapeutic component.5. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES, inwhich the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for conditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimenthat includes an antihypertensive material component as the therapeuticcomponent.6. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES, inwhich the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for conditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimenthat includes at least one respiratory or physical therapy session.7. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES, inwhich the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for determining the incentive to have a value partly based ona value of the therapeutic component and partly based on a physicalattribute of another individual, the other individual being a putativerecipient of the therapeutic component.8. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES, inwhich the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning the componentof the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for signaling a discount as a component of the incentive.9. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES, inwhich the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning the componentof the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for authorizing a resource transfer to the individual as acomponent of the incentive.10. The resource apportionment system of either of theconsecutively-preceding CLAUSES, in which the circuitry for transmittinga result of assigning the component of the incentive to the individualcomprises:circuitry for authorizing a benefit to another individual as anothercomponent of the incentive.11. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for presenting a first message indicative of the incentive toa care provider and a second message indicative of the incentive to theputative provider, the putative provider being a material provider.12. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for conditioning a benefit upon an acceptance of at least aportion of the incentive, the result of assigning the component of theincentive to the individual including the acceptance.13. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for conditioning (some or all of) the incentive uponcompliance with a regimen that includes a nitric oxide donor component.14. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for conditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimenthat includes an anti-infective component of the therapeutic component.15. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for determining the incentive as a linear function of a valueof the therapeutic component.16. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for transferring one or more credits to a care provider as acomponent of the incentive in response to an indication that thetherapeutic component was administered.17. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for obtaining a selection of a type of the incentive inresponse to input from a resource provider who is not the putativeprovider of the therapeutic component.18. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for manifesting an improvement in a reputation of a provideras a component of the incentive.19. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for authorizing a transfer of one or more resources into anaccount of a recipient as a component of the incentive.20. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for determining an indication of the incentive in response toan indication of a product attribute relating to the therapeuticcomponent.21. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for conditioning the incentive upon an actuation in a vessel.22. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for presenting an availability of an option to the individualas an indication of the incentive.23. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for transmitting an indication of the incentive to a careprovider as the putative provider of the therapeutic component.24. The resource apportionment system of CLAUSE 23, in which thecircuitry for transmitting a result of assigning the component of theincentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for transmitting the indication of the incentive to anotherputative provider of the therapeutic component, the therapeuticcomponent being a therapeutic material.25. The resource apportionment system of CLAUSE 23, in which thecircuitry for transmitting a result of assigning the component of theincentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for transmitting the indication of the incentive to theindividual.26. The resource apportionment system of CLAUSE 23, in which thecircuitry for transmitting a result of assigning the component of theincentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for transmitting the indication of the incentive to a partyother than the putative provider of the therapeutic component.27. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for obtaining a size of the incentive in response to a patternof enrollment.28. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a decision from theindividual in the profile of the individual.29. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a physicalattribute of the individual in the profile of the individual.30. The resource apportionment system of CLAUSE 29, in which thecircuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a physicalattribute of the individual in the profile of the individual comprises:circuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a biometricmeasurement as the physical attribute of the individual in the profileof the individual.31. The resource apportionment system of CLAUSE 29, in which thecircuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a physicalattribute of the individual in the profile of the individual comprises:circuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a health status asthe physical attribute of the individual in the profile of theindividual.32. The resource apportionment system of CLAUSE 29, in which thecircuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a physicalattribute of the individual in the profile of the individual comprises:circuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a gender of or anage of the individual as the physical attribute of the individual in theprofile of the individual.33. The resource apportionment system of CLAUSE 29, in which thecircuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a physicalattribute of the individual in the profile of the individual comprises:circuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a pathology as thephysical attribute of the individual in the profile of the individual.34. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for selecting a beneficiary of the incentive in response to apattern of enrollment.35. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for selecting a recipient of a notification of the incentivein response to a received message.36. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for transmitting an indication of the incentive to a materialprovider.37. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for transmitting an indication of the incentive to anotherindividual.38. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for obtaining an indication of an inhalation of thetherapeutic component as an objective indication that the therapeuticcomponent has been administered to the portion of the individual, theresult of assigning the component of the incentive to the individualincluding the objective indication.39. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for obtaining an indication of when at least a portion of avessel moved as an objective indication that the therapeutic componenthas been administered to the portion of the individual, the result ofassigning the component of the incentive to the individual including theobjective indication.40. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for obtaining an indication that a vessel has been ingested asan objective indication that the therapeutic component has beenadministered to the portion of the individual, the result of assigningthe component of the incentive to the individual including the objectiveindication.41. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for obtaining a test result of a sample extracted from theindividual as an objective indication that the therapeutic component hasbeen administered to the portion of the individual.42. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for obtaining an indication of informed consent from theindividual, the result of assigning the component of the incentive tothe individual including the indication of informed consent from theindividual.43. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for signaling a change in an eligibility of the provider ofthe therapeutic component as an indication of the incentive to theprovider of the therapeutic component.44. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for obtaining an indication of an abnormally late order forthe therapeutic component.45. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,in which the circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning thecomponent of the incentive to the individual comprises:circuitry for obtaining an indication of whether the individual remainsenrolled in a program requiring a therapeutic regimen that includes thetherapeutic component.46. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,further comprising: a vessel containing an inhalant and having anadministration detection feature configured to generate adevice-detectable indication that the therapeutic component has beenadministered to the portion of the individual, the therapeutic componentbeing the inhalant.47. The resource apportionment system of any one of CLAUSES 1 through45, further comprising:a vessel containing an inoculant and d having an administrationdetection feature configured to generate a device-detectable indicationthat the therapeutic component has been administered to the portion ofthe individual, the therapeutic component including the inoculant.48. The resource apportionment system of any one of CLAUSES 1 through45, further comprising:a vessel containing the therapeutic component; andadministration detection logic configured to detect one or moredevice-detectable auditory indications of a movement of the vesselcontaining the therapeutic component.49. The resource apportionment system of any one of CLAUSES 1 through45, in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive toan individual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for deriving (some or all of) the incentive partly based on aspecific identifier of the therapeutic component, partly based on acategory of the therapeutic component, and partly based on an indicationof a dispensing device administering the therapeutic component to theindividual.50. The resource apportionment system of any one of CLAUSES 1 through45, in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive toan individual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for obtaining a signal from a compliance-sensitive dispensingdevice.51. The resource apportionment system of any one of CLAUSES 1 through45, in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive toan individual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for receiving an indication from a test of a bodily fluid ofthe individual after a dispensing device administers the therapeuticcomponent to the individual.52. The resource apportionment system of any one of CLAUSES 1 through45, in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive toan individual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for receiving an indication of the incentive from a site thathas apparently received a category of the therapeutic component and anindication of a dispensing device administering the therapeuticcomponent to the individual.53. The resource apportionment system of any one of CLAUSES 1 through45, in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive toan individual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for detecting whether data from one or more sensors indicatean actuation of a portion of a dispensing device.54. The resource apportionment system of any one of CLAUSES 1 through45, in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive toan individual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for detecting a health status apparently resulting from adispensing device administering the therapeutic component to theindividual, the result of assigning the component of the incentive tothe individual including the health status.55. The resource apportionment system of any one of CLAUSES 1 through45, in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive toan individual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:circuitry for detecting a dispensing device administering thetherapeutic component to the individual via injection.56. The resource apportionment system of any one of CLAUSES 1 through45, further comprising:a dispensing device, including administration detection logic andconfigured to administer the therapeutic component, in which thetherapeutic component includes a topical treatment.57. The resource apportionment system of any one of CLAUSES 1 through45, further comprising:a dispensing device, including administration detection logic andconfigured to administer the therapeutic component, in which thetherapeutic component includes an antibiotic.58. The resource apportionment system of any one of CLAUSES 1 through45, further comprising:a dispensing device, including an administration detection feature andconfigured to administer the therapeutic component to the portion of theindividual.59. The resource apportionment system of any one of CLAUSES 1 through45, further comprising:a vessel containing the therapeutic component and having an actuator.60. The resource apportionment system of any one of the above CLAUSES,further comprising:one or more physical media bearing time data indicative of when one ormore dispensations of the therapeutic component have occurred as anobjective indication that the therapeutic component has beenadministered to the portion of the individual.61. (Independent) A resource apportionment method comprising:invoking circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual; andtransmitting a result of assigning the component of the incentive to theindividual.62. The resource apportionment method of METHOD CLAUSE 61, in which theinvoking circuitry for assigning a component of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises:conditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimen that includesa plasma lipid-modifying material component as the therapeuticcomponent.63. The resource apportionment method of either METHOD CLAUSE 61 or 62,in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:conditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimen that includesan antihypertensive material component as the therapeutic component.64. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:conditioning (some or all of) the incentive upon compliance with aregimen that includes at least one respiratory or physical therapysession.65. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:determining the incentive to have a value partly based on a value of thetherapeutic component and partly based on a physical attribute ofanother individual, the other individual being a putative recipient ofthe therapeutic component.66. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:signaling a discount as a component of the incentive.67. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:authorizing a resource transfer to the individual as a component of theincentive.68. The resource apportionment method of either of theconsecutively-preceding CLAUSES, in which the transmitting a result ofassigning the component of the incentive to the individual comprises:authorizing a benefit to another individual as another component of theincentive.69. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:presenting a first message indicative of the incentive to a careprovider and a second message indicative of the incentive to theputative provider, the putative provider being a material provider.70. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:conditioning a benefit upon an acceptance of at least a portion of theincentive, the result of assigning the component of the incentive to theindividual including the acceptance.71. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:conditioning the incentive upon compliance with a regimen that includesa nitric oxide donor component.72. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:conditioning (some or all of) the incentive upon compliance with aregimen that includes an anti-infective component of the therapeuticcomponent.73. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:determining the incentive as a linear function of a value of thetherapeutic component.74. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:transferring one or more credits to a care provider as a component ofthe incentive in response to an indication that the therapeuticcomponent was administered.75. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:obtaining a selection of a type of the incentive in response to inputfrom a resource provider.76. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:manifesting an improvement in a reputation of a provider as a componentof the incentive.77. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:authorizing a transfer of one or more resources into an account of arecipient as a component of the incentive.78. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:determining an indication of the incentive in response to an indicationof a product attribute relating to the therapeutic component.79. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:conditioning the incentive upon an actuation in a vessel as an objectiveindication that the therapeutic component has been administered to aportion of the individual, the result of assigning the component of theincentive to the individual including the objective indication.80. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:presenting an availability of an option to the individual as anindication of the incentive.81. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:transmitting an indication of the incentive to a care provider as theputative provider of the therapeutic component.82. The resource apportionment method of METHOD CLAUSE 81, in which thetransmitting a result of assigning the component of the incentive to theindividual comprises:transmitting the indication of the incentive to another putativeprovider of the therapeutic component, the therapeutic component being atherapeutic material.83. The resource apportionment method of METHOD CLAUSE 81, in which thetransmitting a result of assigning the component of the incentive to theindividual comprises:transmitting the indication of the incentive to the individual.84. The resource apportionment method of METHOD CLAUSE 81, in which thetransmitting a result of assigning the component of the incentive to theindividual comprises:transmitting the indication of the incentive to a party other than theputative provider of the therapeutic component.85. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:obtaining a size of the incentive in response to a pattern ofenrollment.86. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:determining the incentive by obtaining a decision from the individual inthe profile of the individual.87. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:determining the incentive by obtaining a physical attribute of theindividual in the profile of the individual.88. The resource apportionment method of METHOD CLAUSE 87, in which theinvoking circuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a physicalattribute of the individual in the profile of the individual comprises:determining the incentive by obtaining a biometric measurement as thephysical attribute of the individual in the profile of the individual.89. The resource apportionment method of METHOD CLAUSE 87, in which theinvoking circuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a physicalattribute of the individual in the profile of the individual comprises:determining the incentive by obtaining a health status as the physicalattribute of the individual in the profile of the individual.90. The resource apportionment method of METHOD CLAUSE 87, in which theinvoking circuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a physicalattribute of the individual in the profile of the individual comprises:determining the incentive by obtaining a gender of or an age of theindividual as the physical attribute of the individual in the profile ofthe individual.91. The resource apportionment method of METHOD CLAUSE 87, in which theinvoking circuitry for determining the incentive by obtaining a physicalattribute of the individual in the profile of the individual comprises:determining the incentive by obtaining a pathology as the physicalattribute of the individual in the profile of the individual.92. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:selecting (at least) a beneficiary of the incentive in response to apattern of enrollment.93. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:selecting a recipient of a notification of the incentive in response toa received message.94. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a, result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:transmitting an indication of the incentive to a material provider.95. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:transmitting an indication of the incentive to another individual.96. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:obtaining an indication of an inhalation of the therapeutic component asan objective indication that the therapeutic component has beenadministered to the portion of the individual, the result of assigningthe component of the incentive to the individual including the objectiveindication.97. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:obtaining an indication of when at least a portion of a vessel moved asan objective indication that the therapeutic component has beenadministered to the portion of the individual, the result of assigningthe component of the incentive to the individual including the objectiveindication.98. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:obtaining an indication that a vessel has been ingested as an objectiveindication that the therapeutic component has been administered to theportion of the individual, the result of assigning the component of theincentive to the individual including the objective indication.99. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:obtaining a test result of a sample extracted from the individual as anobjective indication that the therapeutic component has beenadministered to the portion of the individual.100. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:obtaining an indication of informed consent from the individual, theresult of assigning the component of the incentive to the individualincluding the indication of informed consent from the individual.101. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:signaling a change in an eligibility of the putative provider of thetherapeutic component as an indication of the incentive to the putativeprovider of the therapeutic component.102. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:obtaining an indication of an abnormally late order for the therapeuticcomponent.103. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual comprises:obtaining an indication of whether the individual remains enrolled in aprogram requiring a therapeutic regimen that includes the therapeuticcomponent.104. The resource apportionment method of any one of the METHOD CLAUSESabove, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:deriving the incentive partly based on a specific identifier of thetherapeutic component, partly based on a category of the therapeuticcomponent, and partly based on an indication of a dispensing deviceadministering the therapeutic component to the individual.105. The resource apportionment method of any one of METHOD CLAUSES61-103, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:obtaining a signal from a compliance-sensitive dispensing device.106. The resource apportionment method of any one of METHOD CLAUSES61-103, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:receiving an indication from a test of a bodily fluid of the individualafter a dispensing device administers the therapeutic component to theindividual.107. The resource apportionment method of any one of METHOD CLAUSES61-103, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:receiving an indication of the incentive from a site that has apparentlyreceived a category of the therapeutic component and an indication of adispensing device administering the therapeutic component to theindividual.108. The resource apportionment method of any one of METHOD CLAUSES61-103, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:detecting whether data from one or more sensors indicate an actuation ofa portion of a dispensing device.109. The resource apportionment method of any one of METHOD CLAUSES61-103, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises:detecting a health status (of or relating to the individual) apparentlyresulting from a dispensing device administering the therapeuticcomponent to the individual, the result of assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual including the health status.110. The resource apportionment method of any one of METHOD CLAUSES61-103, in which the invoking circuitry for assigning a component of anincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises: detecting adispensing device administering the therapeutic component to theindividual via injection.111. (Independent) A first method comprising:invoking circuitry for performing a reception of or a transmission ofone or more instructions in relation to a second method that includes atleast:assigning a component of an incentive to an individual partly based onan indication of a therapeutic component administered to a portion ofthe individual and partly based on a profile of the individual; andtransmitting a result of assigning the component of the incentive to theindividual.112. The first method of METHOD CLAUSE 111, wherein said second methodcomprises:the resource apportionment method of any one of the above CLAUSES thatdepend from CLAUSE 61.113. (Independent) A resource apportionment method comprising:invoking circuitry for obtaining an indication of an incentive partlybased on a physical attribute of an individual in the profile of theindividual and partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentavailable to the individual, a component of the incentive being anincentive to the individual; andtransmitting the indication of the incentive to a putative provider ofthe therapeutic component available to the individual.114. The resource apportionment method of METHOD CLAUSE 113, furthercomprising:performing the resource apportionment operation(s) of any one or more ofthe above CLAUSES that depend from CLAUSE 61.115. (Independent) A resource apportionment method comprising:invoking circuitry for obtaining an indication of an incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a health status apparentlyresulting from a bioactive material administered to the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual; andtransmitting the indication of the incentive.116. The resource apportionment method of METHOD CLAUSE 115, furthercomprising:performing the resource apportionment operation(s) of any one or more ofthe above CLAUSES that depend from CLAUSE 61, the therapeutic componentbeing the bioactive material.117. (Independent) A resource apportionment method comprising:obtaining first data indicating a therapeutic component having a firstvalue V1; invoking circuitry for obtaining an indication of an incentivehaving a second value V2>V1 and partly based on the therapeuticcomponent and partly based on a provider of the therapeutic component;andtransmitting the indication of the incentive partly based on thetherapeutic component and partly based on the provider of thetherapeutic component.118. The resource apportionment method of METHOD CLAUSE 117, furthercomprising:performing the resource apportionment operation(s) of any one or more ofthe above CLAUSES that depend from CLAUSE 61.119. (Independent) A resource apportionment method comprising:invoking circuitry for obtaining an indication of an incentive to aprovider of a therapeutic component and at least partly based on anobjective indication that the therapeutic component has beenadministered to a portion of an individual; andincluding the indication of the incentive to the provider of thetherapeutic component in or with a message.120. The resource apportionment method of METHOD CLAUSE 119, furthercomprising:performing the resource apportionment operation(s) of any one or more ofthe above CLAUSES that depend from CLAUSE 61.121. (Independent) A resource apportionment method comprising:selecting an indication of an incentive partly based on a category of atherapeutic material and partly based on an indication of a dispensingdevice administering the therapeutic material to an individual; andtransmitting the indication of the incentive responsive to the circuitryfor selecting the indication of the incentive partly based on thecategory of the therapeutic material and partly based on the indicationof the dispensing device administering the therapeutic material to theindividual.122. The resource apportionment method of METHOD CLAUSE 121, furthercomprising:performing the resource apportionment operation(s) of any one or more ofthe above METHOD CLAUSES that depend from METHOD CLAUSE 61, thetherapeutic component being the therapeutic material.123. (Independent) A resource apportionment system comprising:means for performing the resource apportionment operation(s) of any oneor more of METHOD CLAUSES 61-122.124. (Independent) An article of manufacture comprising:one or more physical media configured to bear a device-detectableimplementation of a method including at leastassigning a component of an incentive to an individual partly based onan indication of a therapeutic component administered to a portion ofthe individual and partly based on a profile of the individual; andtransmitting a result of assigning the component of the incentive to theindividual.125. The article of manufacture of CLAUSE 124, in which a portion of theone or more physical media comprises:one or more signal-bearing media configured to transmit one or moreinstructions for performing the resource apportionment operation(s) ofany one or more of METHOD CLAUSES 62-122.126. (Independent) An article of manufacture comprising:one or more physical media bearing a device-detectable output indicatingan occurrence of assigning a component of an incentive to an individualpartly based on an indication of a therapeutic component administered toa portion of the individual and partly based on a profile of theindividual; andtransmitting a result of assigning the component of the incentive to theindividual.127. The article of manufacture of CLAUSE 126, in which a portion of theone or more physical media comprises:one or more signal-bearing media configured to transmit one or moreinstructions for performing the resource apportionment operation(s) ofany one or more of METHOD CLAUSES 62-122.128. The article of manufacture of CLAUSE 126, in which at least one ofthe one or more physical media comprises:one or more signal-bearing media transmitting a portion of thedevice-detectable output at least partly responsive to circuitry forassigning the component of the incentive to the individual partly basedon the indication of the therapeutic component administered to theportion of the individual and partly based on the profile of theindividual.129. The article of manufacture of CLAUSE 126, in which at least one ofthe one or more physical media comprises:one or more signal-bearing media bearing at least one signal from animplementation having at least circuitry for assigning the component ofthe incentive to the individual partly based on the indication of thetherapeutic component administered to the portion of the individual andpartly based on the profile of the individual and circuitry fortransmitting the result of assigning the component of the incentive tothe individual.

All of the patents and other publications referred to above areincorporated herein by reference generally—including those identified inrelation to particular new applications of existing techniques—to theextent not inconsistent herewith. While various system, method, articleof manufacture, or other embodiments or aspects have been disclosedabove, also, other combinations of embodiments or aspects will beapparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above disclosure.The various embodiments and aspects disclosed above are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated in the final claim set that follows.

1. A resource apportionment method comprising: invoking circuitry forassigning a component of an artificial incentive to an individual partlybased on an indication of a therapeutic component administered to aportion of the individual and partly based on a profile of theindividual; and transmitting a result of assigning the component of theartificial incentive to the individual. 2-49. (canceled)
 50. Theresource apportionment method of claim 1, in which the invokingcircuitry for assigning a component of an artificial incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises: invoking circuitry for detecting adispensing device administering the therapeutic component to theindividual via injection.
 51. A resource apportionment systemcomprising: means for assigning a component of an artificial incentiveto an individual partly based on an indication of a therapeuticcomponent administered to a portion of the individual and partly basedon a profile of the individual; and means for transmitting a result ofassigning the component of the artificial incentive to the individual.52-76. (canceled)
 77. The resource apportionment system of claim 51, inwhich the means for transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe artificial incentive to the individual comprises: means forobtaining a size of the artificial incentive in response to a pattern ofenrollment. 78-96. (canceled)
 97. A resource apportionment systemcomprising: circuitry for assigning a component of an artificialincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual; and circuitry fortransmitting a result of assigning the component of the artificialincentive to the individual. 98-108. (canceled)
 109. The resourceapportionment system of claim 97, in which the circuitry for assigning acomponent of an artificial incentive to an individual partly based on anindication of a therapeutic component administered to a portion of theindividual and partly based on a profile of the individual comprises:circuitry for conditioning the artificial incentive upon compliance witha regimen that includes a nitric oxide donor component.
 110. (canceled)111. The resource apportionment system of claim 97, in which thecircuitry for assigning a component of an artificial incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises: circuitry for determining theartificial incentive as a linear function of a value of the therapeuticcomponent.
 112. The resource apportionment system of claim 97, in whichthe circuitry for transmitting a result of assigning the component ofthe artificial incentive to the individual comprises: circuitry fortransferring one or more credits to a care provider as a component ofthe artificial incentive in response to an indication that thetherapeutic component was administered.
 113. (canceled)
 114. Theresource apportionment system of claim 97, in which the circuitry fortransmitting a result of assigning the component of the artificialincentive to the individual comprises: circuitry for manifesting animprovement in a reputation of a provider as a component of theartificial incentive. 115-124. (canceled)
 125. The resourceapportionment system of claim 97, in which the circuitry for assigning acomponent of an artificial incentive to an individual partly based on anindication of a therapeutic component administered to a portion of theindividual and partly based on a profile of the individual comprises:circuitry for determining the artificial incentive by obtaining aphysical attribute of the individual in the profile of the individual.126-127. (canceled)
 128. The resource apportionment system of claim 125,in which the circuitry for determining the artificial incentive byobtaining a physical attribute of the individual in the profile of theindividual comprises: circuitry for determining the artificial incentiveby obtaining a gender of or an age of the individual as the physicalattribute of the individual in the profile of the individual.
 129. Theresource apportionment system of claim 125, in which the circuitry fordetermining the artificial incentive by obtaining a physical attributeof the individual in the profile of the individual comprises: circuitryfor determining the artificial incentive by obtaining a pathology as thephysical attribute of the individual in the profile of the individual.130-135. (canceled)
 136. The resource apportionment system of claim 97,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an artificialincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises: circuitry forobtaining an indication that a vessel has been ingested as an objectiveindication that the therapeutic component has been administered to theportion of the individual, the result of assigning the component of theartificial incentive to the individual including the objectiveindication.
 137. The resource apportionment system of claim 97, in whichthe circuitry for assigning a component of an artificial incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises: circuitry for obtaining a testresult of a sample extracted from the individual as an objectiveindication that the therapeutic component has been administered to theportion of the individual. 138-141. (canceled)
 142. The resourceapportionment system of claim 97, further comprising: a vesselcontaining an inhalant and having an administration detection featureconfigured to generate a device-detectable indication that thetherapeutic component has been administered to the portion of theindividual, the therapeutic component being the inhalant.
 143. Theresource apportionment system of claim 97, further comprising: a vesselcontaining an inoculant and having an administration detection featureconfigured to generate a device-detectable indication that thetherapeutic component has been administered to the portion of theindividual, the therapeutic component including the inoculant.
 144. Theresource apportionment system of claim 97, further comprising: a vesselcontaining the therapeutic component; and administration detection logicconfigured to detect one or more device-detectable auditory indicationsof a movement of the vessel containing the therapeutic component.145-149. (canceled)
 150. The resource apportionment system of claim 97,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an artificialincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises: circuitry fordetecting a health status apparently resulting from a dispensing deviceadministering the therapeutic component to the individual, the result ofassigning the component of the artificial incentive to the individualincluding the health status.
 151. (canceled)
 152. The resourceapportionment system of claim 97, further comprising: a dispensingdevice, including administration detection logic and configured toadminister the therapeutic component, in which the therapeutic componentincludes a topical treatment.
 153. (canceled)
 154. The resourceapportionment system of claim 97, further comprising: a dispensingdevice, including an administration detection feature and configured toadminister the therapeutic component to the portion of the individual.155-156. (canceled)
 157. An article of manufacture comprising: one ormore physical media configured to bear a device-detectableimplementation of a method including at least assigning a component ofan artificial incentive to an individual partly based on an indicationof a therapeutic component administered to a portion of the individualand partly based on a profile of the individual; and transmitting aresult of assigning the component of the artificial incentive to theindividual. 158-160. (canceled)
 161. The article of manufacture of claim157, in which a portion of the one or more physical media comprises: oneor more signal-bearing media configured to transmit one or moreinstructions for determining the artificial incentive to have a valuepartly based on a value of the therapeutic component and partly based ona physical attribute of another individual, the other individual being aputative recipient of the therapeutic component. 162-191. (canceled)192. The article of manufacture of claim 157, in which a portion of theone or more physical media comprises: one or more signal-bearing mediaconfigured to transmit one or more instructions for obtaining anindication of whether the individual remains enrolled in a programrequiring a therapeutic regimen that includes the therapeutic component.193-199. (canceled)
 200. The resource apportionment system of claim 97,in which the circuitry for assigning a component of an artificialincentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises: the circuitry forassigning the component of the artificial incentive to the individualpartly based on the indication of the therapeutic component administeredto the portion of the individual and partly based on the profile of theindividual, the therapeutic component administered to the portion of theindividual being a respiratory therapy session.
 201. The resourceapportionment system of claim 97, in which the circuitry for assigning acomponent of an artificial incentive to an individual partly based on anindication of a therapeutic component administered to a portion of theindividual and partly based on a profile of the individual comprises:circuitry for determining the artificial incentive by obtaining aphysical attribute of the individual in the profile of the individual,the artificial incentive being dependent upon the physical attribute ofthe individual; circuitry for conditioning the artificial incentive uponcompliance with a regimen that includes a nitric oxide donor component;and circuitry for obtaining a test result of a sample extracted from theindividual as an objective indication that the therapeutic component hasbeen administered to the portion of the individual.
 202. The resourceapportionment system of claim 201, in which the circuitry fortransmitting a result of assigning the component of the artificialincentive to the individual comprises: circuitry for transferring one ormore credits to a care provider as a component of the artificialincentive in response to an indication that the therapeutic componentwas administered; circuitry for obtaining a selection of a type of theartificial incentive in response to input from the care provider; andcircuitry for manifesting an improvement in a reputation of a resourceprovider as a component of the artificial incentive, the resourceprovider being the care provider.
 203. The resource apportionment systemof claim 97, in which the circuitry for assigning a component of anartificial incentive to an individual partly based on an indication of atherapeutic component administered to a portion of the individual andpartly based on a profile of the individual comprises: circuitry fordetermining the artificial incentive by obtaining a physical attributeof the individual in the profile of the individual, the artificialincentive being dependent upon the physical attribute of the individual;and circuitry for obtaining an indication that a vessel has beeningested as an objective indication that the therapeutic component hasbeen administered to the portion of the individual, the result ofassigning the component of the artificial incentive to the individualincluding the objective indication.
 204. The resource apportionmentsystem of claim 203, in which the circuitry for transmitting a result ofassigning the component of the artificial incentive to the individualcomprises: circuitry for authorizing a resource transfer to theindividual as a component of the artificial incentive; circuitry forsignaling a change in an eligibility of a putative provider of thetherapeutic component as an indication of the artificial incentive tothe putative provider of the therapeutic component; and circuitry forpresenting a first message indicative of the artificial incentive to acare provider and a second message indicative of the artificialincentive to a material provider, the putative provider of thetherapeutic component being either the care provider or the materialprovider.
 205. The resource apportionment system of claim 97, in whichthe circuitry for assigning a component of an artificial incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises: circuitry for determining theartificial incentive by obtaining a physical attribute of the individualin the profile of the individual, the artificial incentive beingdependent upon the physical attribute of the individual; circuitry forconditioning the artificial incentive upon compliance with a regimenthat includes a plasma lipid-modifying material component as thetherapeutic component; and circuitry for obtaining a test result of asample extracted from the individual as an objective indication that thetherapeutic component has been administered to the portion of theindividual.
 206. The resource apportionment system of claim 97, in whichthe circuitry for assigning a component of an artificial incentive to anindividual partly based on an indication of a therapeutic componentadministered to a portion of the individual and partly based on aprofile of the individual comprises: circuitry for determining theartificial incentive by obtaining a physical attribute of the individualin the profile of the individual, the artificial incentive beingdependent upon the physical attribute of the individual; circuitry forconditioning the artificial incentive upon compliance with a regimenthat includes an antihypertensive material component as the therapeuticcomponent; and circuitry for obtaining an indication that a vessel hasbeen ingested as an objective indication that the therapeutic componenthas been administered to the portion of the individual, the result ofassigning the component of the artificial incentive to the individualincluding the objective indication.
 207. The resource apportionmentsystem of claim 144, in which the circuitry for assigning a component ofan artificial incentive to an individual partly based on an indicationof a therapeutic component administered to a portion of the individualand partly based on a profile of the individual comprises: circuitry fordetermining the artificial incentive by obtaining a physical attributeof the individual in the profile of the individual, the artificialincentive being dependent upon the physical attribute of the individual;circuitry for conditioning the artificial incentive upon compliance witha regimen that includes at least one respiratory or physical therapysession; and circuitry for detecting a health status apparentlyresulting from a dispensing device administering the therapeuticcomponent to the individual, the result of assigning the component ofthe artificial incentive to the individual including the health status.